What grade would you say the 1st Prelude from Bach's 'Well Tempered Clavier' is?

Question

I'm going to buy the ABRSM edition of the book. It says it's graded 6 - 8, the 1st prelude (C major) seems so easy. What grade would you consider it?

Answer 1

charlessmith is almost completely wrong. I checked the site and the prelude and FUGUE is grade 8. I was confused by this at first, but when I looked at the fugue, it really is grade 8. The prelude on the other hand, many students play that at young ages. Around grade 2, 3 I think. The piece itself is not syncopated really. It's a chordal piece and there's only one note played at a time for just about the entire piece.



All in all, the Prelude in C is from grade 2-3, or at least it is played by grade 2-3 students. The Fugue in C on the other hand, is definitely a grade 8. Definitely buy WTC. Both books if you can. They are well worth studying.



Example of the complexity of how complicated the WTC can get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj4lPhfG98o

Wait until the fugue, the person color codes the fugal lines.

Answer 2

Something like the middle-of-the-road between Grades 6 and 8....likely a 7. It cannot be a grade 6 due to the syncopated inner 16th notes in the l.h. on the 2nd 16ths in the 1st and 3rd beats.

Answer 3

Prelude In C Bach Piano