WEEK 1: Discovering J.S.Bach! 
Welcome to the Main Thread for the first week of the J.S.Bach Challenge! This is the place to post submissions of the first week!
- Make sure you've read the guidelines before replying (<- click)
- Watch the kickoff livestream for help with the first section!
If you want to describe your process (optional), feel free to use the following template.
- Things you found easy:
- Things you found difficult:
- (Optional): a video of you performing it!
- (Optional:) questions
↓ Reply below with your submissions and questions! ↓
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Here is a video of my first week's practice of the first 16 measures of the Prelude 1st Cello Suite. My nails are still pretty much gone, so sorry for the poor tone and a few inaccuracies.
I took my time and worked through the fingerings for the first two days. I really liked Sanel Redzic's Tonebase lesson and learned a lot from it. Too bad he doesn't play through the whole piece but I found him playing it on YouTube and got a lot of right and left hand fingering ideas.
My approach the next four days was to play very slowly taking each section of a few bars. I made sure I could play at least ten times in a row without a mistake, starting over if I did...then I moved on the the next few bars, etc, etc. Measures 9 and 11 were the hardest. Sanel's transcription here is more challenging with the moving bass line but I think it's worth the effort.
Everything needs more practice and polish but I'm happy with my progress so far. Constructive feedback is always welcome!
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Jack Stewart Hi Jack, thanks for your comment. Lots of firsts...LOL
I used to go quickly through pieces too. When I was much younger in college we had to learn a lot of pieces and learn them pretty quickly. It gets to be a habit and then is really difficult to get rid of all the bad habits. So now that I have the time I'm happy to be patient and do my best to start a piece with good habits, especially if it's one that I want to keep in my repertoire like this one. Then I'll enjoy playing it more without all the frustrating glitches.
The nails - I've always had really strong nails. I think this winter is really dry so after a few broken nails I decided to try gels. I didn't like the way they were done at the salon (too thick) so I bought my own uv lamp and polish. I had to remove the ones that were done at the salon and I basically ruined my nails doing that. So now they're too short. Learned my lesson. I really prefer my own nails but maybe just one layer of gel will make them stronger. But they need to grow back!
Thanks for watching my YouTube channel. I love to play all styles
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Debbie My nails are strong on my left hand - where I don't need them. But my right hand nails, esp. A and M have gotten very weak with age. Those nails will bend like paper and don't survive more than a day or so. I would love to use my own nails but now, if I want to use nails (and I do) I have to use fakes. Nothing has worked otherwise - Biotin, nail strengtheners etc.
I really like playing other styles also, though now I am concentrating on classical. I used to play finger style quite a bit, and hope to get that back some time. When my daughter waist 5th grade she took up bass guitar so I bought a Stratocaster (Squire) so we could play together. She was horrified at the thought of playing rock with her dad. I spent some time relearning the stuff I played in high school - Clapton, Yardbirds, Hendrix etc. but I have shelved that indefinitely.
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Debbie Great start Debbie - beuatifully controlled. This is one of my favourites, look forward to hearing the complete piece
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Debbie Great start! Such a beautiful piece. Sounds like you've already got a pretty good handle on it.
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Ron Thanks Ron! It's one of my favorites too! Good thing this challenge came along because it's about time I've learned it!
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matt thanks Matt! Doin my best!
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Jack Stewart I hear ping pong balls work great for nails. I should try it! Have you ever?
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Debbie I thought about it but I just don't see how I can pick the strings with ping pong balls on the ends off my fingers.
I usually buy nails from either Strings by Mail or Guitarplayer Nails. I don't think they are perfect but I usually have to replace them after every 3-4 days and I figured preformed nails would be faster than cutting up ping pong balls. The nails come very long so I usually cut them in half so I get 2 nails out of each one.
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Debbie This is a great start Debbie! Keep up the good work!
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Debbie@Jack Bravo Debbie , it sounds already great.
Like You and Jack I also have problems with the nails (a matter of the age) and with the fake nails, never again to change them in the studio because they use that machine that destroys your nails. If I have fake nails (not now !!! hereusement) I take them out by myself with acetone, it is not aggresive at all as compare to that "mechanic" procedure that they use.
Very nice your playing Debbie.
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David Russell uses a piece of ping pong on his “a” finger. He glued it from underneath the nail. I am also having nail issue with my “a” finger and have tried various artificial nails. The best sounding nail is hard gel with UV light. However, it is really hard to do since I’m right-handed. I often messed up and had to ask my niece to do it for me. Khiem told me to try OPI Nail Strengthener and it’s working for me. My nail stopped splitting & breaking. I only use it on my “a” finger.
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Bill Young I used to have serious problems with my nails Bill. A while I ago I started putting cuticle oil on my nails every night before bed and working it in. It seems to have helped tremendously.
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Steve Pederson thanks for the tips. I only had issue with my “a” finger, all my others nails are super strong. The OPI nail strengthener works for me so no more artificial nails. Yes, I only use oil to keep my fingers hydrated everyday.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
