Canon in D is an accompanied canon, composed by Johann Pachelbel in the late 17th Century. The word canon is derived from the Greek κανών, meaning “law” or “rule”. In a canon, the initial melody (leader) is imitated by one or more voices (followers) which successively enter at set times one after another.

Since the 1980s, Canon in D has become a common song played at Western weddings and funerals.

• What happens in the basso continuo part throughout the composition?

• What is the Baroque name for a composition that repeats the same harmonic progression throughout (hint: it’s not “canon”)?

• What is the two-bar harmonic progression used throughout Canon in D?

• Describe the texture of the first eight bars of this piece (how many layers, what instruments, how they enter, -phonic, effect on thickness, etc.). 

• Are there any dynamic markings in this piece?

• What might be an explanation for this? 

• For each four bar section listed, provide a description of the melodic line/motif.

• How does duration change over these first 22 bars?

Each student gets a copy of the score and a set of highlighters to share.

Start by highlighting the initial two-bar motif in Violin 1 in bars 3-4. With the same colour, highlight the same motif which is imitated in Violin 2 in bars 5-6, and in Violin 3 in bars 7-8.

Select a new colour and proceed to highlight the next motif (Violin 1, bars 5-6) and its imitations (V2 b7-8, V3 b9-10).

Continue this for a few lines or the remainder of the first page.

Make annotations on the score to analyse some features of the different motifs (e.g., "Crotchets, beginning on scale degree 3")

• Basso continuo

• Chaconne

• Ground bass (or basso ostinato)

• Rhythmic busyness

• Round (or perpetual canon)

• Staggered entries

Test your knowledge of canons and Pachelbel's Canon in D with this short quiz. Once you have finished, click the Submit button, then the View score button to see which questions were answered correctly and incorrectly.