The Improvisation of Figuration Preludes and the Enduring Value of Bach Family Pedagogy

Abstract

This article reveals how "figuration preludes are flexible tonal models that provide a dynamic way for students to engage with musical structure. The variability of these models allows for musical creativity through progressive stages of mastery. When students encode voice-leading principles from these models into hand positions at the keyboard, they group discrete information into larger patterns, uniting voice leading and harmony. The Bach family pedagogy for improvising figuration preludes can provide benefits to students today, particularly since it anticipates aspects of modern pedagogy."