These are two Bourrées, reminiscent of the B minor Inventions and Sinfonias. The Bourrée is a fast duple-meter dance, whose etymology is related to "flapping" or "fluttering." While both Bourrées generally proceed unassumingly, Bourrée No. 2 differs slightly from Bourrée No. 1, which constantly marks the beat, by having a stronger flowing element. Therefore, it is possible to play it with a slightly more melodic, singing quality.

These two Bourrées contain neither emphasized peak points nor sections with a sense of pressure, nor any special chromatic progressions; therefore, they should be played lightly and elegantly, like a Gavotte.

Hence, in places where quarter-note accompaniment figures appear (e.g., the left hand in measures 1-2 of Bourrée No. 1, or the left hand in measure 3 of Bourrée No. 2), the quarter notes should be played staccato.

Furthermore, in the melodic line, adding an accent to "half notes reached by a leap" (e.g., measure 3 or 18 of Bourrée No. 1, or measure 18 of Bourrée No. 2) will bring out rhythmic interest.