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Prelude No. 1 in C Major

by J.S. Bach

An early-intermediate piece from the Baroque period, in C major, and about 2 minutes to play.

About this edition

The prelude that opens the entire Well-Tempered Clavier: a single rippling arpeggio pattern, unchanged in rhythm from first bar to last, that lets the harmony alone carry the piece from calm C major through a few clouded, chromatic bars and back home. Gounod later laid the "Ave Maria" melody over this exact accompaniment — you may recognize it before you've ever played it.

Resist the urge to speed up once the pattern feels automatic — the whole piece lives or dies on even, unhurried arpeggios. Practice hands separately first so the left hand's shape locks in without the right hand covering for it.

Scores and source editions retain their credited public-domain or licensed provenance.