How to play Minuet in G on piano
- Level
- Easy-intermediate
- Key
- G major
- Composer
- Christian Petzold (formerly attributed to J.S. Bach)
- Written
- c. 1725
Found in the 1725 notebook Bach gave his wife Anna Magdalena, this minuet was long credited to Bach but is now attributed to the Dresden organist Christian Petzold. It is a traditional first 'real' classical piece for piano students.
Minuet in G letter notes
Press play to hear each line while the keys light up. Then play along, one line at a time.
Bars 1 to 2
DGABCDGG
Bars 3 to 4
ECDEF♯GGG
Bars 5 to 6
CDCBABCBAG
Bars 7 to 8
F♯GABGA
Underlined notes are long notes: hold them for two beats or more.
Hand position
Right hand thumb on G4. The first bar spans G4 to D5, a full five-finger position.
Easy left-hand chords
Once the melody is comfortable, add these chords in your left hand, one per line or bar: G | C G | C G | D.
Chord diagrams: G major, C major, D major.
Practice tips
- It is in 3/4 time: a strong 1 and lighter 2 and 3, like a dance.
- The quick notes (eighth notes) should be smooth and even: practice them slowly first.
- F♯ is the only black key in the first section. It appears in bars 3 and 7.
How to practice this song
- Listen to each line once with the play button.
- Play one line slowly with the right hand until you make no mistakes three times in a row.
- Join two lines together, then the whole song.
- Add the left-hand chords, at half speed, once the melody is automatic.