Prelude in C major

The opening prelude of The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, loved for its transparent harmony and steady arpeggiated flow.

The gentle, flowing opening of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier is famous for its serene beauty and later became the harmonic basis of the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria, making it a favorite among students and listeners alike.

The notes lie easily under the hand, but sustaining absolute evenness, control, and harmonic awareness across the entire piece requires intermediate discipline.

• Keep the broken-chord pattern perfectly even in touch and rhythm throughout.
• Listen to the slow-moving harmony changing beneath the repeating figuration.
• Hold each bass note its full value to reveal the underlying chord progression.

It looks simple, but uneven tone makes the harmony feel static.

Public-domain scores are usually available for this piece. Compare editions for fingering and layout before choosing one.

Public domain availability varies by country. Always confirm copyright rules where you live.