3 ms·

I struggle to listen to Bach for an extended period of time. I think I don't "get" him. Tbh it's probably that, because actually playing his music on the piano

by yomly 6y ago

I struggle to listen to Bach for an extended period of time. I think I don't "get" him. Tbh it's probably that, because actually playing his music on the piano is always a joy so it's probably skill to listen + analyse which is lacking. These days I am much more Schubert and Beethoven, but I feel a certain guilt for not being able to appreciate Bach more. Both Mozart and Chopin worshipped him amongst others (iirc both were known to copy out das wohltemperiete klavier by hand as an exercise of love) Any tips on grokking Bach? Feel like I have to concentrate super hard - to the point I either go a bit numb or lose focus EDIT worth mentioning I'm not really a casual listener. More like a failing amateur musician with no talent. (Probably more so than Salieri :p)

wazoox 6y ago
Did you try the easier pieces, like the Brandeburg concertos? Also, it may help for some more cerebral things such as the violin partitas to listen first the "adaptations" such as Busoni's chaconne (which makes it easier to the untrained ear by providing all the notes that are implicit in the original version).
scop 6y ago
It definitely took my some time before I "got" Bach, but once I did I've never been the same. Here are some recommendations: 1. Listen to works for solo instruments; this allows you to focus in on what's going on 2. Watch videos for solo instruments; this allows you to really take in what the musician is doing to perform this work 3. When listening to a piece, say to yourself "I am going to focus on X" and try to hear that part is doing throughout the piece in relation to the other parts. E.g. "I'm going to listen to the bass voices in a solo work" or "I'm going to listen to the oboes". 4. I often find myself being very physical when I listen to Bach...e.g. clapping or slamming my hands on various cues. 5. LISTEN TO THE SAME PIECE OF MUSIC A LOT...either same performance or different ones. You are given new revelations as you get to know a piece more, certain harmonies, certain voices, etc that you never noticed before. Do you always have to listen with such focus? No, as it seems your brain then becomes able to enjoy pieces more casually as it is trained to hear these things. Here is a fun piece to "train" yourself to enjoy Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lH_Tevw5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lH_Tevw5o

by yomly 6y ago

wazoox 6y ago

Did you try the easier pieces, like the Brandeburg concertos? Also, it may help for some more cerebral things such as the violin partitas to listen first the "adaptations" such as Busoni's chaconne (which makes it easier to the untrained ear by providing all the notes that are implicit in the original version).

scop 6y ago

It definitely took my some time before I "got" Bach, but once I did I've never been the same. Here are some recommendations: 1. Listen to works for solo instruments; this allows you to focus in on what's going on 2. Watch videos for solo instruments; this allows you to really take in what the musician is doing to perform this work 3. When listening to a piece, say to yourself "I am going to focus on X" and try to hear that part is doing throughout the piece in relation to the other parts. E.g. "I'm going to listen to the bass voices in a solo work" or "I'm going to listen to the oboes". 4. I often find myself being very physical when I listen to Bach...e.g. clapping or slamming my hands on various cues. 5. LISTEN TO THE SAME PIECE OF MUSIC A LOT...either same performance or different ones. You are given new revelations as you get to know a piece more, certain harmonies, certain voices, etc that you never noticed before. Do you always have to listen with such focus? No, as it seems your brain then becomes able to enjoy pieces more casually as it is trained to hear these things. Here is a fun piece to "train" yourself to enjoy Bach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lH_Tevw5o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3lH_Tevw5o