Johann Sebastian Bach fact sheet for kids
A free printable fact sheet about Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 to 1750): quick facts, a short life story, three pieces to hear, and room to write and draw.
Johann Sebastian Bach lived from 1685 to 1750. Bach played the organ and worked as a church musician. For several years he wrote a new piece for church almost every week. He came from a large family of musicians.
How to use this sheet
Read the story at the top out loud. Then play the first piece on the list. The line under each title says what to listen for. Tick the box when the piece ends.
Play the other two pieces on other days. One piece at a time is enough. At the end of the week, the child writes what they heard and draws a picture. Search the composer's name and the title on any streaming service or at a library.
For more on the life and the music, read our guide: Bach for kids.
Only the sheet below prints. It fits letter and A4 paper. For a clean page, turn off headers and footers in the print window.
Composer fact sheet
Johann Sebastian Bach
1685 to 1750 · Germany · Baroque era
Quick facts
Born: 1685, Eisenach, Germany
Died: 1750, Leipzig, Germany
Played: Organ, harpsichord, and violin
Era: Baroque, about 1600 to 1750
The story in short
Bach played the organ and worked as a church musician. For several years he wrote a new piece for church almost every week. He came from a large family of musicians.
A fact to remember
He had 20 children, and several of them became composers too.
Listen to these
Prelude, from Cello Suite No. 1
One cello plays alone. The notes ripple up and down.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, first movement
Groups of strings pass a busy tune back and forth.
Air, from Orchestral Suite No. 3
A slow, smooth tune floats over a walking bass line.
What I heard
Draw the music
Johann Sebastian Bach fact sheetkidsclassicalmusic.com
Goes well with
- Bach for kids: the full guide for parents
- All 24 composer fact sheets
- Composer timeline
- Composer study notebook page
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