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Sixty-Nine Chorales with Figured Bass: Piano Book

$8.99 USD

Sixty-Nine Chorales with Figured Bass: Piano Book

Name: Sixty-Nine Chorales with Figured Bass: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-K02137
Price: 8.99 USD
Availability: InStock

By Johann Sebastian Bach

Item: 00-K02137

$8.99

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This collection of chorale melodies has an added bass line, and in many cases figured bass numbering beneath the bass notes. 48 pages.

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Series: Kalmus Edition

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 48

ISBN10: 0-7579-0649-4

ISBN13: 978-0-7579-0649-7

UPC: 723188000166

SKU: 00-K02137

More about this title

About the Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) transformed the chorale into a vehicle for harmonic sophistication and contrapuntal mastery. His systematic exploration of four-part writing established the pedagogical foundation for music theory instruction that remains in use today. Bach's chorales distill centuries of German Protestant tradition into concentrated studies of voice leading, functional harmony, and emotional directness.

These 69 examples represent Bach's method of teaching composition through real musical examples rather than abstract rules. Each chorale demonstrates how to construct coherent phrases, manage dissonance, and balance the independence of individual voices within a unified harmonic design. For students and teachers, they function as both musical touchstones and technical blueprints.

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Why we love this

This collection gives pianists direct access to Bach's voice-leading logic at the keyboard. The figured bass notation transforms these from historical artifacts into working documents that reveal how harmonic function actually operates in real time, making abstract theory visible in sound and motion.

What to expect

Bach's chorales have an intellectual warmth to them. Each one unfolds with the inevitability of a solved equation, yet they never feel cold or mechanical. Playing them reveals how perfectly Bach balanced the structural logic of harmony with the emotional weight of melody and the expressive power of counterpoint.

Who it's for

This book serves pianists preparing for theory study or deepening their understanding of harmonic function through performance. It works equally well for teachers seeking concrete examples to demonstrate voice leading in lessons or for advanced students building a personal library of Bach's compositional methods.

How to get the most out of it

Shape each phrase as a complete thought, not as individual chord changes. Bach's melodies often span an entire phrase without obvious punctuation; let the voice leading suggest the breathing.
Respect the figured bass as a guide to voicing decisions rather than a rigid prescription. Your hand position and register choices will determine the color and balance of each chord.
Practice separating the outer voices first. The soprano and bass create the harmonic foundation; inner voices support rather than drive the motion.
Observe all voice leadings, including the subtle ones. Bach minimizes awkward jumps and voice crossing; these details matter for clarity and inevitability.

How to use it

A single chorale or group of them makes a fitting opening for a recital program, establishing clarity and classical proportion before moving into larger forms. They also work as preludes or interludes in mixed programs, offering moments of concentrated musical thinking that complement Romantic or contemporary repertoire.