The following post is by Misha Amory.
1. Which beat in the bar is it – hierarchy of downbeat as strongest, and the third beat is stronger than the second and fourth.
Example: Suite No. 5, Prelude:
2. Where is the beat in the contour of the melodic line? At a gentle or an intense point?
Example: Suite No. 2, Prelude:
3. What is the bassline doing? Is it the dominant force in the relative importance of beats?
Example: Suite No. 4, Bourree II:
4. Is there a dissonance or a resolution on the beat?
Example: Suite No. 3, Sarabande:
5. Harmonic Rhythm. Is there a harmonic change on the beat?
Example: Suite No. 6, Allemande:
6. Is there a new bass note on the beat?
Example: Suite No. 3, Courante:
7. Where does the beat fall in the larger phrase? In the middle of an arch or rounding off the end?
Example: Suite No. 6, Gigue:
8. Is there an unexpected harmonic change suggesting a new color?
Example: Suite No. 6, Allemande:
9. Is there a sudden register change? (Role-playing or dialogue?):
Example: Suite No. 4, Bourree I:
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