Rediscovering Bach Part II

Played through the 1st and 2nd Bach Cello Suites in consecutive days. It’s been many years, but it was like butter. Like visiting an old friend. Seems like yesterday. They are so beautiful, great music and a great way to start the day.
Then I came to the 3rd suite. Oh boy, another story. In the key of C, so lots of low Cs. Guess I didn’t work ion this one as much, probably because it’s in the low register, more in the bass trombone range. So I decided to play it up a perfect 5th, superimposing the tenor clef. Now it goes up to High D. I think there is a French edition that transposes this one up a 4th, but that’s not too easy to do on the fly, but tenor clef should be possible. It’s kicking my ass, challenging to say the least. Cool!!! Guess I’ll be on this one for a while. It’s good to be back, a great way to start the musical day.

Rediscovering Bach

Was going through some books the other day when I came across the Bach Cello Suites. There was a time for many years that I played Bach every day, first the Cello Suites then later the Violin Sonatas and Partitas. I remember reading that the great cellist Pablo Casals said he played Bach every day. I was/is a big fan of his playing, especially the Bach Cello Suites, so I took up his idea. Bach every day. Kind of like “A Bach a Day will keep the cobwebs away.” It’s such great music. Always inspiring, amazing, challenging and inspiring.

I often say that Bach is one of my favorite jazz musicians.

After finding the cello suites book (I have several editions but this one is one of the cello versions) I read through the 1st suite. Still Great!! Will play the 2nd today.