Some thoughts from Susanna this March…

This Months’ Composer/Musician of the Month is Johann Sebastian Bach. Born in 1685, Bach was a German Composer of the baroque era. He had a great impact on western music and is hailed as one of the greatest composers of all time. This was largely due to his development of compositional techniques such as counterpoint, harmony, structure and form.

Bachs’ compositions are full of many different technical obstacles that will help progress students at every level. I’m sure as music pupils or parents of music pupils we have all experienced the struggle of a complex Bach study!

It may seem that we will never get over that particularly difficult few bars, whether it’s a large chord, fast technical passage or remembering our sharps and flats!  But remember practice makes perfect….even Bach thinks so:

“What I have achieved by industry and practice, anyone else with tolerable natural gift and ability can also achieve.” JS Bach

This month why not try playing one or two of Bachs’ great compositions, it will certainly improve your technique and of course build up your repertoire.  Ask your tutor to pick you a suitable piece if you are not sure, they will be happy to help.  In fact, why not ask a friend or your teacher to film you when you’re done… and we’ll post it on our youtube channel for you!