- Master E minor tonality
- Develop 3/8 time feel
- Practice dance-like character
About This Piece
Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Difficulty: Early Intermediate
Notes Used: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E (high), F# (high)
Time Signature: 3/8
Key: E Minor
Fingering Review
Full Movement (Simplified)
A lively dance-like movement in 3/8 time with a graceful E minor character.
Practice Tips
- 3/8 time: Feel in one - one beat per measure with a lilting quality
- Allegro character: Fast and cheerful despite the minor key
- Dance rhythm: Imagine this as a lively Baroque dance
- Articulation: Light, bouncy tonguing to enhance the dance character
Practice Exercises
Practice the E natural minor scale.
Master the opening descending line.
Practice the ascending scale passage.
Feel the characteristic 3/8 pulse.
Put together the full opening section.
Historical Context
This Allegro in 3/8 time from TWV 40:104 demonstrates the influence of Baroque dance forms on instrumental music. The 3/8 meter was commonly used for quick dances like the gigue or certain types of minuets. E minor, while a minor key, retains a certain elegance and grace in Telemann's hands. The composer's ability to write memorable melodies in any key or meter is evident here. The relatively short phrases and clear harmonic structure make this an ideal piece for students learning to play in compound meter (3/8, 6/8, 9/8, etc.). The lilting quality of 3/8 time, when properly executed, gives the music a dance-like character that's both energetic and graceful.
Next Steps
Once you can play this movement confidently, try:
- Experimenting with subtle dynamic accents on beat one
- Learning other pieces in 3/8 or 6/8 time
- Comparing the character with E major pieces
- Exploring Baroque dance forms (gigue, passepied)