Bach and the Guitar?
You may be surprised to learn that the great Johann Sebastian Bach never wrote a note of music for the guitar. In fact, even the surviving music apparently written by Bach for the lute may have been originally conceived and written for the keyboard. (At the very least some keyboard instrument, with “for the lute” being added by editors later.)
The reason this is so astounding is just how much Bach’s music has become an integral part of the classical guitar repertoire. We have arrangements and transcriptions of Bach’s cello suites, violin sonatas and partitas, lute suites, some of his chorales, keyboard suites, and more. College and graduate auditions for classical guitar programs often require music by Bach. Sometimes competitions require pieces by Bach. It is simply hard to play classical guitar and not at some point encounter Bach. So the fact that Bach never composed for the instrument is quite remarkable.
Architectural Beauty
Nevertheless, Bach’s music is indeed a special part of the classical guitar repertoire and it offers so much richness to our musical palette. Part of what is so appealing about his music is the way that independent moving voices blend together to create complex structures that nonetheless together make sense and are beautiful. And the classical guitar itself is in part enchanting because of its ability to play this kind of complex polyphony in a convincing way — done well, the classical guitar sounds like more than one instrument playing at the same time. Thus, Bach and classical guitar make a great fit.
Bach’s Music on Classical Guitar
The music of J.S. Bach has also been an important part of our curriculum at CGC Academy. Beginning around Grade 4, around the intermediate stage of study, we incorporate Bach’s music into almost every grade. Below I’d like to share with you performances of these masterpieces from our Grades curriculum at Classical Guitar Corner Academy. Despite the fact that none of this music was actually written for the guitar, I think you’ll agree it fits so well on our quiet yet sonorous instrument. I hope you enjoy these performances of J.S. Bach’s music on classical guitar.
“Largo” (BWV 1056), Grade 4:
“Bourree” (BWV 996), Grade 5:
“Prelude” (BWV 999), Grade 7:
“Prelude” (BWV 1007), Grade 8:
Amazing playing
Simply beautiful!!!
I’m a eighty year old, who has been learning the fret board, chord progression, scales, all the minors and many more aspects of the guitar
for about 10 years now and still can’t sit down in front of a piece of music and play! Have I wasted 10 years?
Absolutely not. Everyone is at different levels. As long as your learning and having fun. I’m 64, been playing since the late 60’s. I’m learning something new every time I play. Just have fun and don’t compare your playing with someone else.
Hi Anthony
I am not very much younger than you and I have to confess that I will never be able to play the guitar like our friends Simon and his well chosen talented team however I might I may strive.
But the good news is that I can try to play and I have learnt a little like you although you sound amore knowledgeable on the chords than I. Music is enjoyable, educational and I have even learnt a bit more self awareness.
There are and will be limitations due to our personal capabilities and abilities but music comes in all sounds and rhythms that will allow us to achieve a level that matches our abilities and feel that we have accomplished something. Music is like that and we can enjoy those moments of knowledge and achievement when we reach a goal. Realistic goals for us.
Life has been progression of learning, reaching and attaining satisfaction and at times joy and so if you are enjoying learning the guitar you are doing something worthwhile for your mental and physical wellbeing. Perhaps as in my case not always good for keeping the neighbours happy. :)
cheers
Claude
Hi Anthony,
I’m 75 and have a very similar profile of struggling to play classical guitar. You ask whether you have wasted 10 years. I ask “will I ever improve?” Hopefully, we will both discover that in 2022 everything comes together and the music of Bach, Barrios Mangore, Tarrega, Sol and the other guitar greats will become an essential part of our regularly played repertoire. Let’s keep at it!
Re. The ‘I’m getting old and I’m not as good as I want to be’ dilemma.
Me too. I’m 69 now and have been playing seriously now for about three years. Last September I left work in a quest to answer the question; how good can I really get? I have slowly built my playing up to three hours a day – four days on and one day off. I respectfully submit this comment as ‘what I have learnt’.
1. Have a long term goal about what you want to achieve. There are lots of intermediate pieces that are really beautiful. And some relatively easy (ish) pieces that sound great. At present I am working on Calatuyuds first volume of Spanish pieces for the guitar.
2. Don’t aim to high. Trying pieces that are just too hard is a waste of time. Beauty can be found amongst the simplest of things. I aim to have a repertoire of about 20 intermediate pieces I can play.
3. Protect your hands. As a general rule ‘start low and go slow’. Once you get an injury, at our age it is so difficult to get over it. Increase your time playing very slowly. Take lots of breaks. I do an hour, then have a break for an hour, then another hour followed by a two hour break, then late in the day a final hour. I generally do hand exercises to begin with. In the winter I soak my hands in warm water for ten minutes.
4. Have a couple of days off whenever you feel like it. It’s not a job.
Anyway, I would love to be part of a group of mature age peeps who share the same concerns. I like hearing what other older guitarists have problems with. Best wishes, Tony. You can contact me at [email protected] if you want to talk.
[…] the guitar. Certain sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti, the cello, violin, lute, and keyboard suites by J.S. Bach, cello sonatas of Antonio Vivaldi, keyboard suites of G.F. Handel—all of these have been arranged […]
Splendid performances. Truly a gifted musician. And handsome to boot! You never cease to amaze me.
That is all nice, but would be great to see some more challenging stuff. Like Chaconne for example.
You’ve just reminded me that instead of constantly teaching it I need to play for enjoyment again. Beautifully phrased. Nice to hear somebody playing the cello suite as it would have been played on the cello.
Beautiful, and so inspiring! I do so enjoy seeing and hearing these pieces.
Thank you!