How did Johann Sebastian Bach teach music? (He taught for over 40 years!)

[@jazz12726]

Looking forward to reading his dissertation. During my research on Bach for my Forward Motion book I came across a description of Bach's teaching method that endeared me in it's resemblance to the oral tradition. It suggested Bach taught the rules of counterpoint by having his students copy from his scores. In the same manner jazz musicians have traditionally learned the rules through copying: ("Imitate, Assimilate, Innovate" Clark Terry.)

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Derek is such a generous person, and I've been working on learning CPE Bachs rules. My lack of keyboard skills and musicianship are holding me back, but just learning about the why is helping. Merci.

[@wilsonbecker1881]

This cracked the code for me, thank you!!

[@millennial8441]

As important as learning compositional fundamentals it is knowing HOW all this stuff was taught and WHO taught it in those backing times. Thanks for sharing.

[@NikhilHoganShow]

You're welcome!

[@CraigCameronmusic]

This is amazing!! I would love a digital copy of this dissertation. I’m doing grad work and a large part of it deals compositional pedagogy. Having access to a copy of this might be helpful at some point over the next couple of years. Thank you for taking the time to create, edit and publish this episode. Good stuff!!

[@NikhilHoganShow]

You can grab the PDF of the dissertation here: derekremes.com/publications/

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

@@NikhilHoganShow In case this might help/be of interest, I have a chapter on how Anton von Webern taught in my dissertation Webern's Strongest Readers.

[@MusicaAngela]

I love this!

[@AlanMearns-YesTheRaven]

Very interesting

[@chrom934]

Thank you for this. Is thoroughbass different to the B in SATB? When Derek says four part thoroughbass, is he meaning SATB + additional B or is the thoroughbass same as the B in SATB?

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

Der Vollkommene Capellmeister is the title of the Mattheson's teatise.

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

I wonder if there are any sources from the 18th century that discuss the importance of the chorale TEXTS and having musical settings reflect their affects? I've never heard it discussed much if at all.

[@classicgameplay10]

Is his dissertation avaidable online ?

[@NikhilHoganShow]

Go to derekremes.com/research/ and find "Thoroughbass, Chorale, and Fugue: Teaching the Craft of Composition in J. S. Bach’s Circle"