No longer a Bach virgin

That is a stttrraaaaange video! What are those birds doing there, anyway? And the dog sure didn’t seem very excited (big yawn). It’s probably used to hearing so much piano music all the time that it’s immune. But yes, that man can sure play!! I’m not sure what to think about all that singing, though. It’s like he can’t play WITHOUT singing. Still, it kind of adds an additional entertainment element - I would think it would be difficult to just sing something like that, let along sing and play. Maybe that’s what is meant by additional voices in fugues?(kidding)

Thanks John, that was interesting. The bird thing cracks me up.

 

What a coincidence!

Out of curiousity, I went back to Youtube and looked at the first Glenn Gould video that popped up and it was this one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ag3atJSmgTM
I don't know a thing about partitas, but this was a nice piece. (figures, it's another minor key :wink: ) I just came home from a Cheap Trick concert so this relaxed me. And doesn't Gould look a little like Arthur Fonzarelli (the Fonze)from Happy Days?

I'm watching him again right now and noticing his wrists and high fingers. My teacher is trying to get me to have looser wrists like this. He (my teacher) can produce such a nice tone on the piano, and explains that if I dig into the keys more, use more arm weight, wrists that (look like they)float or swim, I could sound better. I'm trying.
What a nice piece, so soothing. Maybe Bach's not so bad afterall.

 

I was going to say, “Wow, another coincidence,” except I guess it’s not if I would just pay attention to the titles. But here’s one: Star Trek Voyager was on last night. :wink: :lol:

 

What do you mean? Don't play them or don't listen to Barenboim play them?

 

Taking a practicing break and feel like giving a progress report on my Bach piece. When my teacher first introduced me to it, I thought, ok – this is all right (the prelude). And it doesn’t look that hard. Now that I’ve been practicing it for a couple weeks, I think it is more than just all right. I like it – a lot! It definitely has grown on me. The way the hands have to be in sync and exact but still make it sound musical is a fun challenge. Can’t really explain it, but practicing at a slow tempo, sometimes my hands can actually do something right, and it’s very satisfying.

This particular prelude is beautiful in the beginning – the RH sings so gently a heart-wrenching melody. Then the faster section comes on and things are light and teasing, until the lower notes jump up the intensity. Then everything comes crashing down near the end and resolves on an E major chord. I love that!

Oh, and it certainly isn’t easy. Terez, I remember you talking about percussive playing in Bach. For now, because I cheat with the pedal sometimes, I’m not allowed to use it. My teacher wants me to develop more even playing between each finger and phrase. So I’m really playing in a more legato fashion, which sounds good to my ears.

I still have tons of work to do on the prelude. The fugue is in even earlier stages, but it is also getting to the point where I’m enjoying the intercourse between the voices. Not sure about playing a fugue with more than two voices, though. That might drive me crazy. Still, I can’t wait to see (hear) how far I can get with these pieces.

 

Next update -

My Bach piece is getting worse, instead of better. I practice and practice and thought it wasn't half-bad a couple days ago. Today, it's terrible. What is going on? Maybe I'm just not cut out for Bach. All my fingers do now is trip over each other.

 

It's nice to have friends here who understand. Thanks to both of you for your support. I get a little 'down in the dumps' from time to time. It's so frustrating when you put in so much time at something and don't see any improvement.

The metronome is a good idea. I did use it some days ago, but I'm so impatient and think I can just sit down and play without hard, disciplined practice. I need reminding. And it's funny; I tell others to do these things all the time, yet I don't tell myself.

Argh! :lol: