Beginner to Intermediate: Recommended Bach Pieces You’ll Want to Play on Piano
Johann Sebastian Bach, also known as the “Father of Music,” was active during the Baroque era—before the piano became widespread.
In other words, Bach himself did not compose pieces for the piano, and most Bach works performed on the piano today were originally written for the harpsichord!
Baroque polyphonic music, built from overlapping melodic lines, is often avoided because it seems difficult at first glance.
However, many of Bach’s works are actually quite approachable and relatively low in difficulty.
In this article, we’ve selected Bach pieces recommended for beginner to intermediate pianists.
If you love Bach’s music or want to try your hand at Baroque music, be sure to check them out!
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[Beginner to Intermediate] Pieces You’ll Want to Play on Piano! Recommended Bach Works (1–10)
Five Little Preludes No. 1, BWV 939 in C majorJ.S.Bach
The Five Little Preludes are works preserved only in a manuscript copy by Johann Peter Kellner, a devotee of Johann Sebastian Bach.
In fact, there is still no definitive resolution to the debate over whether they are truly by Bach.
In No.
1 in C major, BWV 939, a repeated sequence—called a “sequence,” where a motif recurs at different pitch levels—is employed.
To keep the music from becoming flat and monotonous through mere repetition, bringing out nuances through the progression and changes in register can better convey the piece’s appeal.
French Suite No. 3, BWV 814, MinuetJ.S.Bach
Brimming with the charm of an elegant and refined dance, this piece is cherished as part of a suite composed between 1722 and 1725.
Structured in ternary form, it exquisitely contrasts flowing, beautiful melodies with introspective, delicate expression, allowing performers to showcase a wide range of musicality.
While it requires an understanding of Baroque ornamentation and articulation, its technical demands are relatively modest, making it ideal for those who wish to focus on musical expression and sensitivity.
It is also widely featured in educational settings and is used as an important repertoire to cultivate both performance technique and musicality.
Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach
This piece in F major, in 3/4 time, begins with ascending broken chords brimming with the energy of a fanfare, creating a bright and lively atmosphere.
The distinctive rhythm produced by the interplay of the upper and lower voices—chasing each other with a one-bar delay—is pleasing to the ear and sets listeners’ hearts dancing.
Although written for educational purposes, its musical appeal holds audiences spellbound.
The passages that use the left hand’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers are somewhat challenging, but with practice, this is a wonderful piece for experiencing tangible improvement in two-handed technique.
With its cheerful, brilliant character and a well-balanced technical challenge, it’s an excellent choice for a recital.
[Beginner to Intermediate] Must-Play Bach Pieces on Piano: Recommended Selection (11–20)
French Suite No. 1, BWV 812 – Menuet IJ.S.Bach
Among the dance forms of the Baroque era, this elegant piece in triple meter was composed around 1722–1725 and is also included in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach.
While its melody is simple and approachable, it also contains contrapuntal elements, and imagining the refined timbre resonating in a church helps bring out its character in performance.
Because the technical difficulty of this work is relatively low, it is recommended for those who have only recently started playing the piano or who are drawn to Baroque music.
In classical music, where tone color, expression, and dynamics are emphasized, try practicing long tones and exploring a beautiful sound as you play.
Musette in D majorJ.S.Bach
This piece, born from the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, where one can fully savor the charm of Baroque-era domestic music, is notable for its left-hand accompaniment pattern that imitates bagpipes.
Structured in ternary form, its bright and approachable melody moves between D major and A major, featuring rhythmically dance-like motion.
Compiled as part of the 1725 notebook and written with home music education in mind, it is not overly virtuosic and is easy to play.
It is especially recommended for those interested in Baroque music or for pianists looking to tackle a classical work.
The piece is also used in the anime Curious George, which likely explains why its familiarity continues to be loved today.
French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – CouranteJ.S.Bach
Among the French Suites, this piece is filled with dance-like charm, distinguished by its elegant triple meter and flowing melody.
Composed between 1722 and 1725, it is a Baroque masterpiece that blends French and Italian dance styles into a refined work.
Though it has no lyrics, the music itself speaks, and its expressive, richly contoured melody conjures images of graceful courtly dances.
Despite its relaxed tempo, it weaves in complex rhythms, making it recommended both for those aiming to develop performance technique and theoretical understanding, and for listeners who want to savor the allure of Baroque music.
Composed for educational purposes, it combines ease of playing with artistic depth.
French Suite No. 1, BWV 812: SarabandeJ.S.Bach
For those who admire Baroque music but struggle with complex counterpoint, this piece is recommended.
Composed around 1722, it appears in Anna Magdalena Bach’s Notebook, indicating that it was intended for approachable, domestic performance.
It’s a slow dance in triple meter, characterized by simple harmonic progressions and beautiful ornamentation.
The tempo is leisurely, and there are no difficult phrases or virtuosic passages, so beginners to Baroque music can learn to play it quickly with practice.
Since tone color, expression, and dynamics are emphasized, play while exploring a beautiful sound.