Hi All,

Could anyone here please tell me if this book is suitable for piano? I've read that it is great for "piano exercises". I looked over most of the music and it appears to me to be close to my current level (esp. book 1), but I doubt I could play some of them as fast as required until I get alot better.

Beethoven's "For Elise" is coming along fine for me and I'm starting to master some of the harder parts (middle) in it. I'm also working on the "Rondo Alla Turca" (?) waltz by Mozart.


Thanks for all the help everyone,


freddie




Freddie

Oh, dear Freddie. Are you asking if Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier" is suitable for piano?

You might have aksed if ice cream is suitable to the palate

The "Well Tempered Clavier" is a major classical work and very often played on the piano. (It is also frequently played on Harpsichord.) Many famous pianists over the years have recorded these wonderful preludes and fugues on piano.

BTW, you may want to temper your estimation of their "ease". There are twenty-four in each book and they are far from easy. Also, while it is true that they constitute a great exercise, they are far more than that.

Good luck!

My piano teacher started me on the "Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics" "First Lessons In Bach" For the Piano in two books. I have to tell you that my "sensitivity" for playing the piano "increased" a hundered times more from studing Bach. I did not think that I would enjoy learning his music but I absolutly love it now, and I really have come to apreaciate learning new tecniches from studing Bach. His music brings out the best in my musical talents.

My dear friend, the Well Tempered Clavier is a mammoth set of masterful preludes and fugues- more often than not played on the pianoforte. They are very difficult - not only good exercises, but very often played in concerts and recitals by famous concert pianists.

Little bit of a misconception here, I believe. But I'm glad you've discovered them... truly masterpieces, every sungle one of them. Book one is just as difficult as book two. There are brilliant 5-voice fugues (the c# minor is just divine) that are incredibly complex.

Hi,

Thanks to all. I read in a piano book that I own that Bach wrote these pieces for his children and loved ones to play. He intended the works to improve their piano playing ability. It lead me to beileve the "Well Tempered Clavier 1 & 2" is a piano instruction/exercise type of book. My mistake, sorry about that. One might be able to read the sheet music by looking at it, but playing it can be very difficult as we all know. The Schirmer sounds like it more of what I'm looking for.

Thanks,

Freddie

Yes, but they aint beginner pieces. Suffice it to say that Bach's expectations of his kids were pretty high.

Yes..I know many people who take one look at them, sit down and play them just what they see on th page. And sure, you COULD do that, but it wouldn't be right! Take one of those fugues for example...an immense amount of thought, studying, fingering, technique, etc, needs to go into it..the first time my teacher explained it all to me, i just shook my head and said " i never want to play Bach again!". Now i realize that all of his music..the fugues ecspecially..are like big puzzles that need to carfeully and precisely be put together peice by peice...which can be a challenge, but immensly rewarding!
Just my $.02

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: PianoMuse ]

Amen.