* German organist, composer, and music teacher
* One of the most important figures in the history of organ playing
* Bach traveled to Lübeck in 1705 to hear Buxtehude play and learn from him
Georg Böhm (1661-1733)
* German organist and composer
* One of the most influential composers of the North German Baroque style
* Bach met Böhm in Lüneburg in 1700 and studied with him for several months
Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706)
* German organist, composer, and teacher
* One of the most important figures in the development of the chorale prelude
* Bach likely studied Pachelbel's music and may have met him in person
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)
* Italian organist, composer, and teacher
* One of the most influential figures in the development of keyboard music
* Bach was familiar with Frescobaldi's music and may have been inspired by his use of counterpoint and improvisation