Musette in D Major | Piano Play-Along
Johann Sebastian Bach
Often attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, Musette in D Major is a short keyboard piece found in the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, a collection of keyboard works compiled in 1725 for Bach’s second wife. Like several works in the notebook, the Musette's authorship remains uncertain—some scholars believe it may have been composed by one of Bach’s sons or another contemporary—but it is still widely associated with Bach and regularly performed as part of his keyboard repertoire.
Musette in D Major’s defining feature is the imitation of the musette, a French bagpipe-like instrument, achieved through a sustained drone bass that mimics the instrument’s continuous tone. Despite its simplicity, the Musette in D captures the charm and elegance of Baroque dance music and remains a popular choice for beginner and intermediate keyboard students.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st, 1685 in Eisenach, Germany. A great master of the Baroque Period, Bach’s contribution to the evolution of music is undeniable. Easily regarded as one of, if not the most influential composers in music history. This, however, was not exactly the case during his time. In fact, many of Bach’s contemporaries considered his work antiquated and old fashioned and preferred the music of Georg Philipp Telemann.
