This bourree, by J.S. Bach, comes from the lute suite in e minor. I have always loved this piece ever since I heard Julian Bream play it way back when I first started studying classical guitar.

This is a perfect example of counterpoint. You have a melody in the upper part and a melody in the lower part. Each one is distinctive but yet they blend together so well.

The opening phrase is so famous and you can hear its influence in popular and rock musics. For example, Jethro Tull released a version of the bouree back in 1969. There is a section of Dee, by Randy Roads were I hear the influence of this bourree. I remember listening to an interview with Jimmy Page where he was talking about the opening of Stairway to Heaven as a sort of, “poor man’s bouree.”

You can see more teaching videos like this at my guitar school found at my website.