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The short answer
Sarabande, French Suite No. 4, BWV 815 is a sarabande by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.
- sarabande
- Baroque
- Key of E-flat major
- dreamy
- gentle
- hand independence
- voicing
Also known as French Suite No. 4 in E-flat major, BWV 815; J.S. Bach.
History
A small upper turn leads to longer notes while the lower line keeps moving in eighths. Several voices overlap within the harmony. Keep the melody clear without losing the quiet activity beneath it.
Sources
What to listen for
The decorated arrival
Short notes surround B-flat before it is held. Listen to how the decoration leads toward a longer sound.
Activity under a held note
The lower voice moves through descending eighths while the upper voices sustain. Let the support stay connected and light.
How to practise it
- Keep sustained and moving voices audible without making the supporting layer heavy.
- Practise the independent lines separately, then combine their different rhythmic roles.
How hard is it
The opening has written-out short-note decoration, held upper voices and moving lower eighths. Sustaining and balancing these layers supports an intermediate estimate.
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
