bach chorales -- fingering

[misha1]

I was wondering about the fingering for the bach chorales.  I am playing the first one.  The intervals are at time too large for my hands.  Is there a technique to playing them or should I just leave notes out?

[birba]

Could you be more specific?  Which chorale are you talking about and is it an arrangement or for organ.

[keyboardclass]

Some people suggest they're good for sightreading.  As you are finding out they're not.  I'd find something else.

[birba]

What makes you think he's using them for sight-reading?

[misha1]

Hi! yes, I will be more specific. The music I have is Bach, Four-part Chorales, 1 -99, for keyboard.  The first one is titled Aus meines Herzens Grunde.    The very first measure has a G and a 10th up is a B in the bass clef.   Same thing in measures 4 and 5.  In measure 6 all 3 counts are intervals of a 10th.  My thoughts are to just play the bottom note.  Any suggestions? Thanks

[keyboardclass]

What you have is an extract from 371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with figured bass by Albert Riemenschneider.  Its usually just referred to as the 'Riemenschneider'.  To play them you need some understanding from Bach's Three Part Inventions - it's here that you learn how to take more than one part per hand.  In this specific case play the B with the right.

[birba]

Thank you keyboardclass!  Then they are the ones I thought they were.  And, yes, they use them for sightreading, too.  Maybe not for beginners, but they can be very useful.

[keyboardclass]

It just isn't that simple though.  Bach was the first major keyboard pedagogue - look at his sons, 5 out of six became formidable keyboard players (the six was mentally disabled but still supposedly played).   His secret?  He was methodical.  First one part each hand, then three between them, then more.  Playing real three part music was an art.  He understood that and delivered it with great care.  Those who 'leap' into multiple part playing without understanding will falter.  That's why I say it's unwise advice to suggest they're good for early sight reading - advice often given out.

[misha1]

Thank you Birba and Keyboardclass!!  I actually have been playing the top note of the bass with right hand.  And I will look at the 3 part inventions.