Here are some hands on tips to practice J S Bach's work effectively and efficiently.
Read the notes
In the early stage of learning a new piece, you want to focus on reading notes, in detail. Read and play, hand separately. In a slow tempo. The more short notes there are in a piece, the slower. Where there is a third voice that comes in and out, you want to decide on which hand is playing it.
Decide on the fingerings
Fingering is one of the major challenges in Bach's keyboard work because of the multi- voice structure. Where there is a third voice coming in your hands will need to engage in that extra voice while still looking after the first and second voice. Therefore, to figure out how to make use of spare fingers to handle that third voice (sometimes four) takes some time to figure it out. The principle is that you want to maintain the lines of phrases. Once you have decided on fingerings write it down and try not to change it unless you need to modify it later.
Key musical elements to look for
Motif - a musical idea or phrase that is being used again and again, that returns multiple times.
Sequence - the restatement of a motif or longer melodic patterns at a higher or lower pitch in the same voice.
Harmonic inversion - the restatement of a melodic pattern or passage that is vertically re-ordered. (changing voices)
Melodic inversion - a melodic phrase or motif that is being modified, usually rewitten backwards (intervals moving in the opposite direction)
Imitation - a mofivic passage or phrase reappears in a different voice.
Mark these elements and try to figure out what the "theme" is. Emphasize the recurring themes by volume or expressiveness to make it 'dominant' - in other words, more visible.
Scarce pedalling
In principle, Bach's keyboard work should refrain from using pedals, unless absolutely necessary. Why? Bach's music is in essence polyphonic, which means multi voicing at the same time, recurring melodic phrases appearing one another like "chase", very often overlapping. Pedaling runs a risk of blurring melodic phrases. The blurring sound can be easily heard. When is it "absolutely necessary" to use the pedal? When we need pedal to help us connect note to note while our fingering just could not possibly do. Even so, the use of pedal is usually brief. The dense structure of Baroque music just does not allow pedal to be on for long time; it quickly blurs. At times, to highlight a broken chord a pedal can add colors and expressiveness without risking clarity, for aesthetic purpose and personal taste.
Practice in sections and go slow
We very often skip the process of learning and jump to the final stage too early - we like putting the whole piece together soon to enjoy the pleasure. This is how we race to miss all the quality of performance. All the details, understanding and nuances that make your performance great will be skipped, ignored and lost. Practice in small sections and practice slow is very critical.
Dynamics decision
Dynamics is always a thorny issue in performing Bach because he did not tell you what to do! The good news is that you have the freedom to decide. However, be very careful about your choice. Whatever you decide to do, still you want to stay true to Baroque style. It is the figuration that leads the direction, not emotions. Contemporary pianists interpret Bach differently, some boldly, depending on their personal taste. Certainly as an artist you can experiment however you need to know the style before you can change the style! Abundance in dynamic change and contrast, both vertically and horizontally is very desirable. Having an overall view and a dynamic plan and strategy always upgrades your performance level.
The consistency in tempo
Please keep time. Playing Bach like playing Debussy or Chopin is obviously wrong. Personally, I love tapping my foot like a metronome when listening to Bach. The steady and consistent articulation throughout is like the bone structure of your body - we rely on the structure to achieve strong balance and movement. How to keep time? Very simple. Open your metronome.
I am just throwing in a few main points here. Please continue to read my following posts for further elaboration.
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