So I want to play a fugue

[benedict]

I would like to play the fugue in F of the first book of the Well Tempered Clavier.

Is there a best way to proceed :

-voices separately ?
-hands separately ?
-hands together directly ?
-study the harmony first ?

Should sightreading mastered before playing by memory ?

Is there a Tao of Bach ?

Please tell me how you do when you begin a piece you really want to play for your own joy and not for performance.

[RhiAnne]

Well what you asked are all very good ways to approach it.

I approach it with the divide and conquer method.  I take a highlighter and try to indentify the melody, which hand is it in, and what voice.  I usually highlight the melody with orange highlighter.  Since the fugues can be a little tricky with tied over notes, those ties get the blue highlighter.

 After this, I try to learn the melody in both hands, and then go after the rest of the voices.

 I then play both hands together after a few times of playing hands separtely.

 I would be very careful, in learning the correct notes.  Bach is a little tricky in this.  As for memorizing for me, I do not even realize the piece is memorized, until I begin to get bored looking at the music and my mind wandering off.  I usually have most if not all learned, and only need a few spots of securing.  Unfortunately, this is not a trait that is possessed by many people.

 I would definietly master reading the piece looking at the music.  When you get comfortable start to memorize it.  Do not take a measaure at a time, take phrases.  This will help you musically, and will take the "note, note, note" thing out and put in phrases.

 I hope this helps.  I am working on the C-minor prelude and fugue from book two.  I liked the b-flat major prelude and fugue and c-minor prelude and fugue from book one.  Eventually I would like to learn them all, and record them.  Hope I can find the time.

 Well see you later and have a nice day.

[benedict]

Thank you RhiAnne and good like with your studies.

Please tell me when you have recorded the 48 preludes and fugues.

[RhiAnne]

Benedict,

 Thanks, and yes I will notify you when I record all 48 of them.

 Have a nice day and see later.

[benedict]

RhiAnne,

Don't be too long. I want to offer your record as a Christmas present.