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Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!!

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Topic: Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!! (Read 4191 times)

rtj

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Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!!

on: December 21, 2006, 03:59:28 AM

I'm starting to learn the fugue in A-flat major from DWK part 1 for my grade 8 exam which I plan to sit in June. My teacher said to start learning this over the summer break. Problem is, I've hit an awkward passage at bar 7 but I'd like to have worked further than this as my next lesson isn't until February! The problem is to do with fingering (I have comically small hands - an adult male who struggles to reach ninths!! $:-\$ ). Any advice would be appreciated.

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pianistimo

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Re: Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!!

Reply #1 on: December 21, 2006, 01:12:50 PM

i have the bischoff version of the A-flat major fugue - and have small hands as well. in the bischoff edition i think it allows you to use your right hand second finger to 'slide' from the A-flat to the G instead of using another finger. try it! (going from third beat to fourth beat). also, you can, if you want - use the bischoff fingering which suggests using the rh thumb twice (from F to G).

ok. so the entire rh fingering from the second half of the second beat goes like this:
1123132212 - 1 (next measure half note)

now in the left hand - don't forget to keep the D a natural on the fourth beat. (you probably already figured this)

the left hand fingering should end on 1 (D natural) at the end of the first beat. second beat starts on 4.

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amanfang

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Re: Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!!

Reply #2 on: December 21, 2006, 07:29:37 PM

Redistribute some - pick up the E-flat with the LH, and then let go of the G for half a beat (in the name of portato touch?), and perhaps do the thumb slide from the F to G. Not sure. It is a tricky spot. Could you use just a touch of pedal in that spot to help you out?

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rtj

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Newbie
Posts: 2

Re: Bach Fugue in A-flat - some advice please!!

Reply #3 on: December 21, 2006, 08:20:12 PM

Quote from: pianistimo on December 21, 2006, 01:12:50 PM

ok. so the entire rh fingering from the second half of the second beat goes like this:
1123132212 - 1 (next measure half note)

This seems to work much better than what my ancient ABRSM edition suggests. Still going to be one of those phrases I can tell.

Thank you both for the advice!

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