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The short answer
Menuet, French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 is a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.
- menuet
- Baroque
- Key of C minor
- dancing
- gentle
- hand independence
- scales runs
Also known as French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813; J. S. Bach.
History
The opening waits before the upper line rises and falls in eighth notes. Soon the lower part becomes more active while the melody uses longer values. Let the two lines trade movement without losing the pulse.
Sources
What to listen for
A delayed entrance
Rests precede the upper G and its rise to E-flat. Hear the entrance as the start of a phrase, not a reason to rush the silence.
The lower line comes forward
In the following position the lower voice changes from a quarter note into eighths while the upper line uses longer notes. Listen for the exchange.
How to practise it
- Practise the independent lines separately, then combine their different rhythmic roles.
- Group the short-note figures into clear gestures rather than stressing every note.
How hard is it
Two lines alternate eighth and quarter-note movement, with occasional faster written-out figures later. This needs intermediate phrase control; the source's cut-time declaration is preserved despite the Menuet title.
About this piece
- Licence
- cc-zero
- Source
- musescore.com
More by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
- Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro
