Where it comes from
The second movement of Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068, usually known as the Air on the G String.
Bach: Air
D major · 4/4 · 76 bars
Score
- Level
- Intermediate
- Key
- D major · F♯ C♯
- Time
- 4/4
- Bars
- 76
- Range
- C♯2 – C6
- Fingering
- not marked
How to practise this piece
Take it at 40 BPM first, then move up to 40 once the notes sit under your fingers.
What this piece trains
Long lines and bow control: at crotchet equals 40 a single note can last several beats.
Where it usually goes wrong
At this speed the bow shakes and the long note develops a hump in the middle; the line breaks at string changes.
Does it need shifting?
Range C♯2–C6; the top notes go beyond comfortable first position, so expect shifting or an extension.
Practice steps
- Practise open-string long bows until no swell appears from frog to tip.
- Divide the piece into four phrases and learn each one alone before joining them.