Need some feedback for Bach Minuet in G No.6

[senanserat]

Hi,

I would like feedback on where should I improve the aforementioned piece. I just finished learning it and now I am moving to the Minuet G minor, all of this is from the book First Lessons in Bach.

I am kind of newbie still but have no mercy, tear me apart if you deem necessary I really wish to someday within this decade to be really good so spare me nothing.

Thanks a lot in advance for taking the time to review this!

[j_menz]

OK. It needs work.

First off, slow down, and count it out. Your timing is off in quite a few places, and your tempo is all over the place.  Some of that is that you haven't quite got comfortable with the notes, so the slower practice will help with that too. Only once the timing is right, and the speed consistent, should you speed it up. Not quite as fast as your current fastest bits, either.

Do some work along those lines and post a new one then. It has promise, but the timing/speed thing really does need to be sorted out as priority 1. 

Remember, a minuet is a dance, so don't be shy about emphasising the rhythm.

[senanserat]

OK. It needs work.

First off, slow down, and count it out. Your timing is off in quite a few places, and your tempo is all over the place.  Some of that is that you haven't quite got comfortable with the notes, so the slower practice will help with that too. Only once the timing is right, and the speed consistent, should you speed it up. Not quite as fast as your current fastest bits, either.

Do some work along those lines and post a new one then. It has promise, but the timing/speed thing really does need to be sorted out as priority 1. 

Remember, a minuet is a dance, so don't be shy about emphasising the rhythm.

Thanks! I was counting before but it sounded in the recording and I am not that proficient in mental counting. Also I didn't knew a minuet was a dance (shame on me)!

Also the sheet I have says 68 white dotted =O
I will keep working on it.

[senanserat]

Alright I think this version is way better, I am still doubting specially in measure 4 of the first part, I may be stalling to much on the G-G bass lines...

Regardless I feel its an improvement, but I think I have too put more emphasis in dynamics. Again, thanks in advance for any feedback.

[j_menz]

Much improved. 

The tempo still wanders a little, but is pretty much on track. A good pace for a minuet, too.

There are a few points where you are stumbling over the notes. Have a look at these and check your fingering. If it needs changing, do so. In either case, just practice these bits in isolation until they are smooth.

The dynamics are good, not too much at all.

It's coming along nicely indeed.

[senanserat]

Much improved. 

The tempo still wanders a little, but is pretty much on track. A good pace for a minuet, too.

There are a few points where you are stumbling over the notes. Have a look at these and check your fingering. If it needs changing, do so. In either case, just practice these bits in isolation until they are smooth.

The dynamics are good, not too much at all.

It's coming along nicely indeed.

The book I use has already fingering and I found it comfortable. I am glad this one was most pleasant to the ears, if I am not mistaken those tumbles would be in the eight notes in the end? As if I was rushing perhaps? English is not my main language so excuse me if I come out as overly ignorant regarding the meaning behind some sentences

Thanks a lot for your advice I have found it priceless!
Best Wishes.

[lelle]

Nice work!

I notice the stumbling in measure 3 for example, make sure the left hand eight notes are even and perfectly synchronized with the right hand. Your ideas on how to play the piece are good, just clean those things up

[senanserat]

Nice work!

I notice the stumbling in measure 3 for example, make sure the left hand eight notes are even and perfectly synchronized with the right hand. Your ideas on how to play the piece are good, just clean those things up

Thank a lot I will most likely post a new improved version in 1-3 days

[johnmar78]

good starting point.

First 15 sec out of timing, you need to developyour inner rhythm.

Artistic impression 7/10. Technical difficulty 4/10. Overall impression/articulation = 6/10.

[senanserat]

good starting point.

First 15 sec out of timing, you need to developyour inner rhythm.

Artistic impression 7/10. Technical difficulty 4/10. Overall impression/articulation = 6/10.

Thanks a lot for your review, I am aware this piece isn't particularly challenging for those well versed in the Pianoforte art, so I take your rating with grace. I will most likely submit a improved version today or tomorrow

[pianoplunker]

Thanks a lot for your review, I am aware this piece isn't particularly challenging for those well versed in the Pianoforte art, so I take your rating with grace. I will most likely submit a improved version today or tomorrow

I agree with what other have stated about rhythm. But I disagree with you that this piece isn't particularly challenging. You have to play every note correctly, on time, and make a musical phrase that someone can dance to. That is the challenge and hopefully you stay with it, every single time you play this piece. It is alot of work to do it right .  You are on the right track. Although you need to tighten the rhythm, you are very accurate.

[senanserat]

I agree with what other have stated about rhythm. But I disagree with you that this piece isn't particularly challenging. You have to play every note correctly, on time, and make a musical phrase that someone can dance to. That is the challenge and hopefully you stay with it, every single time you play this piece. It is alot of work to do it right .  You are on the right track. Although you need to tighten the rhythm, you are very accurate.

Thanks a lot your your reviews and support. Indeed I am not going to forget this anytime soon my mid term goal is to finish the whole First Lessons in Bach book because I think it offers invaluable resources to increase specific skills, the music is good and I build repertoire at the same time.

Regarding my inner rhythm, I won't be stubborn about it, I know is mediocre...
Which is my bane because my mother sued to be a percussion band leader and her rhythm sense is impeccable.  If anyone has any suggestion to fix this I am more than open to try it.

Anyway this is today's edition of the Minuet, I hope it marks an improvement!

[j_menz]

The timing is much improved. Still not there yet, but I think the remaining issue isn't a lack of timing per se, but rather that you hesitate a little where you are uncertain and then rush a little when you "get it".

Concentrate on the pulse - the underlying 1-2-3 - and count it if that helps.

To assist, play the music in your head while you aren't at the piano. When you're out walking, walk to it. If you're sitting down, tap your hands to it. If you're alone (or unabashed) dance to it. That will help you feel it.

And practice the notes slowly to really get them smooth and even.

[senanserat]

The timing is much improved. Still not there yet, but I think the remaining issue isn't a lack of timing per se, but rather that you hesitate a little where you are uncertain and then rush a little when you "get it".

Concentrate on the pulse - the underlying 1-2-3 - and count it if that helps.

To assist, play the music in your head while you aren't at the piano. When you're out walking, walk to it. If you're sitting down, tap your hands to it. If you're alone (or unabashed) dance to it. That will help you feel it.

And practice the notes slowly to really get them smooth and even.

THIS. Is exactly what I thought I was doing, hesitation followed by a short speed burst, alright I will practice it even more! I found out that counting aloud makes a huge improvement but I don't what to make a recording with me counting in my weird foreign language. Plus I want to practice mental counting.

Thanks a lot for the review! Just to clarify, still a bit of stall/rush near measure 4?

[j_menz]

THIS. Is exactly what I thought I was doing, hesitation followed by a short speed burst, alright I will practice it even more! I found out that counting aloud makes a huge improvement but I don't what to make a recording with me counting in my weird foreign language. Plus I want to practice mental counting.

Thanks a lot for the review! Just to clarify, still a bit of stall/rush near measure 4?

The mental counting will be helped if you also practice the "moving to the rhythm" aspects I suggested as well.

The stall rush happens at quite a few places, some more noticeable than others. It's quite a common problem, incidentally, but one that needs to be worked on.

[senanserat]

I will work diligently on it! Time to take out the metronome again >.>  116 BPM I do say...

[j_menz]

Time to take out the metronome again

Never!

[senanserat]

Never!

Ah my gawd, I thought Metronome-sama was a well respected tool =O

[dima_76557]

Ah my gawd, I thought Metronome-sama was a well respected tool =O

The opinions vary. There were some very famous musicians who recommended it, and even more famous musicians who were against the use of a metronome. While it may help under certain circumstances, your heartbeat and your breath are probably better indicators of what is "natural".

[senanserat]

Oh my Baching Gawd, hubba daba daba... I think this time I definitely hear a improvement over the last times, I think I was able to find and correct the error with rhythm which was ruining the piece.

Again have no qualms in destroying me whatsoever, rend, tear, yell, throw a fit I wish to ahcieve something worthwhile here.

[j_menz]

Much improved. There's still just a hint of slowing/rushing, but you're nearly there. Just keep at the notes a bit and it'll be just right.  It's a nice interpretation, too.

[senanserat]

Much improved. There's still just a hint of slowing/rushing, but you're nearly there. Just keep at the notes a bit and it'll be just right.  It's a nice interpretation, too.

Thanks a lot! I am playing this in 8 days more or less, this or Minuet No.1 in G and Minuet. No.2 G minor together. *sigh*

I think the small residue of rushing/slowing is due to my inability to correctly handle dynamics right now, perhaps I am rushing a bit when I want a cres. and slowing on a dim.

[j_menz]

I am playing this in 8 days more or less, this or Minuet No.1 in G and Minuet. No.2 G minor together. *sigh*

I think the small residue of rushing/slowing is due to my inability to correctly handle dynamics right now, perhaps I am rushing a bit when I want a cres. and slowing on a dim.

That should be plenty of time.  I don't get the feel that it's the dynamics, just the notes. keep at it and you'll be just fine.

[senanserat]

That should be plenty of time.  I don't get the feel that it's the dynamics, just the notes. keep at it and you'll be just fine.

Sir, yes sir. Thank you sir.

[senanserat]

Alright! So last night I had classes again and I showed my progress to my Herr Mentor and he was pleased, which is a good sign because I swear the guy is borderline perfectionist (not that I complain, it pushes me to do better) thus I hope there is an actual improvement in this recording.

If someone has a suggestion for a mic (to use with an acoustic piano) I would appreciate it. It doesn't matter how much effort I put my laptop's mic doesn't pic dynamics as well as I would like.

Anyway, the usual for those still with me in this XD. No mercy fort he wicked! I rather be told off and a reason why, than continue playing like a nob for the rest of my days.

Best Wishes

[j_menz]

Coming along well.  Indeed, very nearly there. What is it now, three days to go? You'll be fine. 

There's still a slight hesitance before those descending eight notes in the middle. Nothing major, but worth having an extra few runs through.

As to the mike, do a search in the Instruments forum, there's been a lot of discussion about this there.

[senanserat]

Coming along well.  Indeed, very nearly there. What is it now, three days to go? You'll be fine. 

There's still a slight hesitance before those descending eight notes in the middle. Nothing major, but worth having an extra few runs through.

As to the mike, do a search in the Instruments forum, there's been a lot of discussion about this there.

5 More more than enough time I wager. Alright I will see to it! (eight notes =| )

Thanks a lot!