Calin's practice: Prelude in C minor, BWV 999

Hello,

I practice Bach's Prelude in C minor, BWV 999.

On measure 15 I am playing  F on string 4 instead of 6, as the extension 1- barre4 is difficult at this moment

Will add a recording on my next post. 

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    • Derek
    • Derek
    • 3 yrs ago
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    Looking forward to your recording Calin

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    • Derek Posted, thanks!

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    • martinTeam
    • LIVE
    • martin.3
    • 3 yrs ago
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    Calin Lupa Hey Calin! This is exactly what I do as well!

    Maybe you already know that version, but I want you to listen to Ricardo's Version of that and see if you recognize something odd about that! 

    https://open.spotify.com/track/6l6SkmPGjbsimjlja43BwC?si=8f3ee483d82740ef

    I also did a Livestream on that piece, maybe that's interesting for you!

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  • Here is my first practice video for BWV 999.

    I attempted a slow constant tempo, metronome like, flat interpretation, almost no color, trying to get the notes right.

    Working on a number of transitions which are not yet smooth or clear enough, buzzing in a few places.

    Planning to zoom in on those transitions and also to bring up the volume of the base note.

    Any advice is welcome. https://youtu.be/_WlRArYjK4I

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      • Derek
      • Derek
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Calin Lupa hi Calin. I like it at that tempo. I have tried this piece a very long time ago but although I remember how it sounds I don't remember how to play it. I think you are aware of the buzzes etc but I think that with a bit more practice you will play it very well. It's sounding good already

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      • ivan paolonull
      • amateur guitarist
      • ivan_paolo
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Calin Lupa Good job...pay attention to the intonation of the guitar.

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    • Calin Lupa good work Calin! I would personally opt for a less «tasto» sound and that would bring a better sound balance while helping you with colors after.

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    • Blaise Laflamme Indeed less tasto gives better balance, thanks for the suggestion

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  • Martin , regarding Ricardo's Version, one odd thing for me is that he plays the first note of every bar, doted, not following the score.  I understand you can play the base longer , here and there for an additional dramatic effect , to accentuate it, but he plays that almost everywhere? Personally I like it the way Bach wrote it, the prelude has a water like flow with ups and downs, something you loose if you dot every first note of a bar. 

    Was there anything else I should have noticed? 

    And yes, I watched your class on this prelude and got inspired by it. thanks Martin! My fingerings are a bit different in a few places though.  

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      • martinTeam
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      • martin.3
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Calin Lupa I did enjoy that tempo as well, you already did pretty well on the transitions, especially jumping in the F major 7 (i played that F usually an octave higher as well!)

      About Ricardo's recording: I am pretty sure he played that with a 7-string guitar as it does sound like an open string, so he tuned the 7th string to the lower F!

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    • Calin Lupa I agree with you Calin...that accentuation brokes the beautiful fluidity of the 2 voices dialog....

      I love this piece and you are doing a very nice work. I was thinking to prepare it for the next concert, not the one now...Maybe you feel this music like me...the dialog of the voices with ups and downs...it is very dramatic.... a continue of tensions and relieves... but always without a real consolation. Thanks for sharing your music

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    • Martin Indeed it does sound like an open string... Isn't that cheating? Lol, just kidding.

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    • Nora Torres-Nagel Thank you for your kind words. I know, a lot more work is required :)  

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    • Emmanull
    • Emma
    • 3 yrs ago
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    Good practice, it is sounding so well already 

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    • Emma Thank you

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  • Thanks Martin  for organizing, and thank you all for your support and patience for the dress rehearsal. 

    Some lessons learned:  

    - Stage fright does exist! I played worse than any of my performances in the last month. The one hour between the start of the rehearsal and the time I had to play was enough to "disconnect" me from the guitar and make me feel anxious. 

    - I tried playing the prelude at a faster pace, which somehow I prefer. Note to self: do not start your concert with a fast piece! A slow one will be better, to (re)connect with the guitar in the concert setting .

    Overall I thought my performance will look a bit like below , not what I delivered. Much more practice is needed :) 

    Thank you. 

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    • Calin Lupa Well, I did not get to hear you yesterday, but your performance in this video is superb! It really is a faster tempo, and it sounds great. Good work!

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    • Eric Phillips thanks, let's just say that my live performance was far from this.  Thanks for your comments, I do know there is still a lot to be improved :) 

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      • Jack Stewart
      • Retired
      • Jack_Stewart
      • 3 yrs ago
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      Calin Lupa That was excellent Calin.  Your playing has improved greatly. 

      As to difficulties in live performance I'm afraid I set the standard. I had even played thru my piece a few minutes before I was 'on stage' with no serious difficulties. Going blank has always been my challenge. 

      Great work.

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    • Calin Lupa bravooooooo Calin!!!!!! very nice. In your Dress-Rehearsal performance...when you began...and so quickly!!! your right hand was giving you problems...but anyway you were able to articulate those notes!!! and you were throught all the piece...in front of us...you did  very good  Calin...we all know how difficult is to stay quiet on stage !

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  • Thank you Jack Stewart and Nora Torres-Nagel  for your kind comments and encouragement , cheers.  :)

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