Canon in D Major Piano Lesson

Get the sheet music here.

What is Canon in D?

Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D is a famous Baroque chamber music piece, probably composed in the late 17th or early 18th Century. It calls for three violins and a basso continuo, consisting of a bass instrument and keyboard. One of Pachelbel’s few surviving chamber works, it originally included a second piece, a gigue in the same key as the more popular first movement.

Why is Canon in D so special?

The Canon in D is actually a hybrid of two composition designs: a canon and a passacaglia. The basso continuo has a repeating eight-beat ground bass, over which variations unfold in the violins. This makes the piece a passacaglia, a set of variations over a recurring bass line. However, all three violins play the same melody with staggered entrances, which collectively makes for a canon. 

The Canon in D is almost entirely diatonic, with hardly any accidentals, giving the piece a relaxed, meditative character. This has made it perfect for solemn or reverent occasions like weddings. 

Should I practice hands separately or together for Canon in D?

The answer is both! As with any piano piece, you’ll want to start with hands separately and learn the correct fingering. The left hand only requires learning four measures. After that, those measures repeat for the rest of the piece. Most practice time should be given to the right hand, which changes musical ideas every four measures, becoming increasingly elaborate. Once both hands are fluent separately, it’s time to put them together. Practice four measures at a time, over and over, rather than playing all the way through to the end. This will ensure each section gets much more targeted practice.

Should I accent certain beats while playing Canon in D?

In 4/4, also known as common time, the first and third beats are the strongest. This piece reinforces that pattern by having the left hand play only on those beats. However, rather than deliver an obvious accent to those beats, try to play with the natural feel of four-beat measures. Without emphasizing beats 1 and 3 too much, the characteristic strong - weak - strong - weak pattern will emerge. 

What sections should I practice the most when learning Canon in D?

One of the most effective piano practice tips for any piece is to spend more time on the challenging parts. For our intermediate version of Canon in D, these will be measures 25 through 32. This section breaks into rapid sixteenth notes, which require significant repetition to achieve fluency and speed. By contrast, measures 1 through 12 have far fewer notes, and will probably not entail as much practice.

How long does it take to learn Canon in D?

This will depend largely on how much you practice, as well as your practice strategies and your piano experience level. Put in at least twenty minutes on most days, and use strategies to get the most out of your practice time. Remember to focus more on the challenging passages, and practice small “chunks” of the music over and over. Depending on your experience level, you may find yourself finishing the Canon in D in a few weeks to a few months.