Bach WTC book 1 fugue 1 (WIP)

[georgey]

Hello Pianostreet.  For those that don’t know me:  I’m a self-taught beginner piano student.  I turn age  58 tomorrow and started piano about 11 years ago playing (messing around I should say) 45 minutes a day on average.  About a year ago I started practicing more seriously 2 hours a day on average and practicing mostly exercises to fix faulty technique.  For the next year I will work to record music for the purpose of shopping around for a teacher.  Here is my first recording.  I know my playing sounds clunky and dynamics need work.   I was going to spend more time on this, but I feel I need to keep things moving. I will post the prelude to this fugue in about a week after I learn it.  I play an Avantgrand N1 that I bought 1.5 years ago. I play this piece without use of the sustain pedal. Thank you to all that choose to comment.  Regards.

[109natsu]

Hi georgey,

Very nice playing, and Happy birthday in advance!!!

You should be able to get the prelude in without any problems, it's the easiest

But the fugue is pretty hard.. It's a four voice, plus it's in C major. C major is actually considered the hardest key to play, because it lacks black keys that you can shape your hand easier on. And I think you have dealt with it very well. Mostly every note is clear and audible. I could've used some dynamic contrast here and there, but when it comes to playing Bach, half of the audience is going to disagree with what you are doing no matter what you do. That's why playing Bach is hard.
I notice that you are playing the eighth notes legato and the sixteenths sometimes nonlegato, but it should be the other way around. Generally, eighth notes are separated in Bach.

Happy Practicing,
Natsu

[georgey]

Natsu: Thank you for your informative comments!

[georgey]

Notes to myself after re-listening to this recording:  There is not much being said musically with this recording.  It’s okay to throw out a rough draft to keep things moving and then put it on the back burner.  Here is what I need to do on my second attempt in about a year from now:

Pick a reference recording on piano.   I have mainly listened to this on harpsichord only.  I decided to use the Andras Schiff 1984 as a reference.  I need to listen to this often to keep tuning up my ear.

Map out the dynamics and make this a top priority.  Playing should sound and be relaxed.  I am unable to play softly unless I am relaxed.  Loud does not sound loud unless the softs are soft.  Identify which voices are to be emphasized in the fugue.

Don’t just record in one day.  Do recordings once a day for at least a week and pick the best.  Listen carefully to the recording and compare to the reference recording and make adjustments.