Wednesday, April 16, 2008

More Bach practice

I was thinking this morning, lying in bed, half awake, that it is interesting how similar the minuets in the first two Bach Suites are, and how completely different. No, maybe not different. Opposite.

For instance, the Minuets in Suite 1 were the first dances I learned, being relatively accessible. In Suite 2, they are the last, and thanks to the chords in Minuet I comprise the most difficult music I have played to date. In Suite I, the Minuets are major, then minor. In Suite II, minor then major. The predominant three note motif, a dancy, rising arpeggio, begins Minuet I in Suite 1, and is buried later in Minuet II in Suite 2.

Anyway, I decided to spend part of my practice time yesterday afternoon recording my current progress on the first Minuet in Suite 2. Though far from ready for performance (this is actually take 3 of 4), I am really quite pleased with my progress. Progress, heck. Two months ago I couldn't string two chords together.

4 comments:

MMG said...

Wow, that looks like a really difficult piece to learn. Happy practicing.

Anonymous said...

Great job! It is hard!

Emily said...

You know what I love about that? You just plowed. Totally unfussy and fabulous. Lots and lots of great stuff there. It sounded like a whole piece. I am going to show some of my chord fearing students this clip!

gottagopractice said...

@Marissa and Funky-hard, yes, but so worth it.

@Emily-your comment came over the weekend after Dicken died. I was feeling low, and my practices had been terrible. I can't tell you how much your encouragement right then improved my morale. Thanks.