The Chaconne Project

A bar-by-bar walk through Bach's Chaconne, BWV 1004, on guitar, four bars at a time, in the order Bach wrote them.

One of the biggest pieces in the repertoire

Bach's Chaconne closes his Partita No. 2 for solo violin, BWV 1004, a single theme stretched across roughly 15 minutes and dozens of variations, and one of the pieces guitarists spend years working toward. This series takes it apart bar by bar, in the order Bach wrote it.

It's a genuinely long project. The theme videos went up in July 2023, and new variations are still going up on the channel. Everything through Variation 33 is below; the series continues past that on YouTube.

The starter set

A starter set of videos, to help explain what you are playing and give you deeper insight into the harmony, Bach's structure and the Neapolitan 6th chord, which is used throughout this movement.

the Sarabande (Quick Overview)

Jan 2024

Or is it a Passacaille?

Feb 2024

Chromatics notes & Neapolitan 6th Chord

Mar 2024

The Theme

Welcome to the start of this enormous set of lessons for the Bach Chaconne, BWV 1004 in D minor. (Phew! Even that is a ton to type.)

Learn 4 bars at a time

I have set out the lessons as Bach composed them, 4 bars at a time. There are things to note, like when Bach breaks this and writes two variations of the same material, or when he breaks the first bar rule and finishes over the bar line into the next variation.

The Theme, Part 1

Variation 1 & 2 are essentially the theme for the rest of the piece. In them, you will find the seeds for the majority of Bach's ideas. So to outline what you are playing here briefly:

Ground bass variations (bass line is the theme)
Sarabande rhythms at the centre (starts on main beat, beat 2)
Harmony is outlined here, then used or added to in the rest of the piece

Watch the cadence at the end here.

THEME 1

Jul 2023

THEME 2

Jul 2023

Variations 3 to 10

03
Variation 3 (French)
Aug 2023
Welcome to variation 3 of the Chaconne. Here we begin the start of a French variation (skipped rhythms) with a tenor melody.
Think Jazz
This is important, do not over dot these, as is the custom in classical music, when playing these rhythms. It is meant to be swung, or jazz triplets.
Keep the chords
The chords are still here, and intersperse this variation, connecting it back to the theme (variations 1 and 2). This will take some practise, so spot these points and work your finger shapes.
04
Variation 4 (French)
Aug 2023
Welcome to variation 4 of the Chaconne. Here we continue the French variation (skipped rhythms) with a tenor melody started in the previous 4 bars.
Think Jazz
This is important, do not over dot these, as is the custom in classical music, when playing these rhythms. It is meant to be swung, or jazz triplets.
Keep the chords
The chords are still here, and intersperse this variation, connecting it back to the theme (variations 1 and 2). This will take some practise, so spot these points and work your finger shapes.
Not real change
There is no real alteration of the harmony or ideas, yet! Bach is still just setting out his stall here and following variation 2's outline.
05
Variation 5 (French)
Sep 2023
Variation 5 continues the French variation, with a tenor melody started in the previous variation but up an octave.
Think Jazz
This is important, do not over dot these, as is the custom in classical music, when playing these rhythms. It is meant to be swung, or jazz triplets. This is truly jazz, as we are generally just using a lead line, supported near the end.
Chromatics
This is the start of Bach adding in all 12 chromatic notes, which he does one or two at a time each variation. Here we have the added B and C natural notes (check the previous variations, no C natural, it is crazy right!?).
Some changes
The changes here are subtle. We have gone from a full harmonic rendering to a single line supported by a second voice and one bass note. This is an exercise in restraint, both on our part (do not over play this) and on Bach’s.
Fingering
Fingers have been selected to take full advantage of the 3rds and 6ths in this variation, with open strings at the end to facilitate the change into the next 4 bars. But as always, experiment with your own, as everyone is different.
06
Variation 6 (French)
Sep 2023
Welcome to variation 6 of the Chaconne. Here we continue the French variation (skipped rhythms) with a melody up an octave, again the companion to variation 5.
Think Jazz
This is important, do not over dot these, as is the custom in classical music, when playing these rhythms. It is meant to be swung, or jazz triplets. This is truly jazz, as we are generally just using a lead line, supported near the end.
Chromatics
This is the start of Bach adding in all 12 chromatic notes, which he does one or two at a time each variation. Variation 5 added B and C natural notes. Here we have a G sharp added near the end.
Some changes
The changes here are subtle. We have gone from a full harmonic rendering to a single line supported by a second voice and one bass note. This is an exercise in restraint, both on our part (do not over play this) and on Bach’s.
Fingering
Fingers have been selected to take full advantage of the 3rds and 6ths in this variation, with open strings at the end to facilitate the change into the next 4 bars. But as always, experiment with your own, as everyone is different.
07
Variation 7 (German)
Oct 2023
Welcome to variation 7 of the Chaconne. Here we start afresh with quavers and our first 16th notes, and the most important heads-up from our composer: the anapaest (see below for more).
Think calm
This variation feels like a bit of calm before the storm. It is also a very beautiful melody, so enjoy it. It is also just a D minor scale, and a simple progression: two chords, i and V.
Chromatics
There are no extra chromatic notes here. On purpose no doubt, as Bach wanted just a pure melody that flows. So unlike the previous variations, and the next ones, this is just a respite moment from a harmonic point of view.
Implied polyphony & fingers
Most importantly here, there are 2 voices: bass and melody. So please keep those top notes hanging over and on, and separate from the bass. My fingering has been selected for this very reason, but please experiment with your own choices.
Anapaest rhythm
This variation introduces the anapaest rhythm that Bach uses to indicate a gear shift upwards, rhythmically. It is those little skip rhythms in bars 26 and 27. This is Bach giving the performer a signal: up the rhythmic gears!
Eye out for it
Going forwards from this point on, keep an eye out for those skip rhythms, as Bach continually employs them to help us understand the rhythm is going to change in the next variation.
08
Variation 8 (Italianate)
Oct 2023
Welcome to variation 8 of the Chaconne. Here we step up the intensity with our first full Italianate 16th-note runs, implied polyphony, and a major milestone in the piece: the very first spelled cadence.
Italianate 16th-note runs
This variation introduces continuous 16th-note runs in the Italian style. The key here is maintaining a smooth, fluid movement across bars 29 to 32 while keeping the rhythmic drive steady and controlled under your fingers.
First spelled cadence
Keep an ear out for a structural landmark here: this is where Bach delivers the first fully spelled cadence in the entire Chaconne. It anchors the harmonic motion and gives the passage a clear, decisive point of arrival.
Implied polyphony
As with earlier passages, you are managing two distinct roles within a single continuous line. Ensure the top voice carries clearly while maintaining the underlying bass anchor, letting the implied two-part counterpoint breathe naturally.
09
Variation 9 (Implied polyphony)
Nov 2023
Welcome to variation 9 of the Chaconne. Here we dive into bars 33 to 37, focusing on standard Baroque implied polyphony: projecting two distinct, independent voices out of a single continuous line.
Ending choices & added notes
Before starting the variation, pay attention to how you wrap up variation 8. We also address the topic of added notes: do you actually need them? We take a look at Abel Carlevaro's approach to variation 9, including his take on adding extra harmony notes to fill out the texture.
Two separate voices
The core challenge here is tone colour and weight. Make sure the upper line speaks independently from the lower line so the listener hears two clear, woven voices rather than a single series of notes.
10
Variation 10 (Cycle of 5ths & Bach motif)
Dec 2023
Welcome to variation 10 of the Chaconne. Here we navigate bars 38 to 41, bringing together rapid Italianate 16th-note runs, implied polyphony, an overarching cycle of 5ths harmonic progression, and a fascinating, subtle nod to the famous Bach motif.
Bach motif & harmonic cycle
Pay close attention to the structural framework here. The harmonic engine is driven by a clear cycle of 5ths (circle of dominant chords), giving the passage strong forward momentum. Within this movement, Bach drops in a subtle hint of the B-A-C-H musical motif: keep your ears open for how it weaves through the texture.
Editions & textual note choices
Be cautious with your score: bar 39 presents a classic editorial dilemma, is that note a B flat or an A? Double-check your preferred edition before locking in your muscle memory. We also examine Abel Carlevaro’s specific arrangement, including his addition of extra bass notes to ground the harmony.
Implied polyphony & 16th runs
As these Italianate 16th-note runs sweep across the fingerboard, keep the upper voice singing clearly over the underlying harmonic motion. Maintain light right-hand balance so the running line stays fluid without losing the clarity of the two implied voices.

Bach Chaconne Freebie

This is my score for the first 10 variations of the amazing Chaconne, in D minor, transcribed for guitar.

Editorial Notes

I am sticking with the violin original manuscript for this, as I have found most guitar editions add unnecessary bass notes, or extra harmony. Or worse, the wrong harmonisation.

The First 10

These variations are important as they outline a standard format used in the baroque period for writing variations. After these first 10, Bach slowly kicks in the composer afterburner and starts to fly with his ideas, some of which are radical for the time.

The actual score, transcribed for guitar, is free on Patreon. Join to download it.

Join Patreon and get the Bach Chaconne score

Variations 11 to 33

Video only from here for now, in the same order they were filmed. Variation 30 is split across two videos.

11
Variation 11 (Italianate 16ths & implied polyphony)
Mar 2024
12
Variation 12 (Italianate 16ths)
Apr 2024
13
Variation 13 (Implied polyphony)
Apr 2024
14
Variation 14 (How Bach builds an idea)
May 2024
15
Variation 15 (Sarabande dance)
Jul 2024
16
Variation 16 (Dance motif extended)
Aug 2024
17
Variation 17 (Bach scales)
Sep 2024
18
Variation 18 (Bach scales II)
Oct 2024
19
Variation 19 (Bach scales III)
Nov 2024

Score PDFs and early access to every new variation

Every video above is free. Patreon's Insider Café and Luminary tiers get the enhanced score with fingerings for each new variation, and see it before it goes public on YouTube.

Join the CGRocks community on Patreon