PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 10 keys

Bach · Prelude in C

J. S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier I, Prelude No. 1 (1722) · 20 s · 57 notes · public domain
24579

The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

Bach · Prelude in C piano notes: C E G C E G C E · C E G C E G C E · C D A D F A D F …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

2C·4E·5G·7C·9E·5G·7C·9E·
2C·4E·5G·7C·9E·5G·7C·9E·
2C·3D·6A·8D·10F·6A·8D·10F·
2C·3D·6A·8D·10F·6A·8D·10F·
1B·3D·5G·8D·10F·5G·8D·10F·
1B·3D·5G·8D·10F·5G·8D·10F·
2C·4E·5G·7C·9E·5G·7C·9E·
2C·

How to play Bach · Prelude in C on the piano

The first bars of the Prelude in C major that opens Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier (1722): each chord broken into the same rising pattern. In its own key, on white keys only.

This easy version uses 10 white keys and the right hand only: 57 notes, about 20 seconds at 48 BPM in 4/4 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: B3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1BB3below middle C
2CC4middle C
3DD4above middle C
4EE4above middle C
5GG4above middle C
6AA4above middle C
7CC5above middle C
8DD5above middle C
9EE5above middle C
10FF5above middle C

Bach · Prelude in C in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

C E G C E G C E

C E G C E G C E

C D A D F A D F

C D A D F A D F

B D G D F G D F

B D G D F G D F

C E G C E G C E

C

Questions

How many keys do I need for Bach · Prelude in C?

10 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = B, 2 = C, 3 = D, 4 = E, 5 = G, 6 = A, 7 = C, 8 = D, 9 = E, 10 = F.

What are the first notes of Bach · Prelude in C?

In numbers: 2 4 5 7 9 5 7 9. In letter notes: C E G C E G C E.

Is Bach · Prelude in C free to play and share?

Yes. Bach · Prelude in C is in the public domain (J. S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier I, Prelude No. 1 (1722)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–10 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 20 seconds at 48 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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