Learning the Chaconne: Take 3, Scales

Third major progress video while learning the Chaconne by J.S. Bach
This piece is absurdly hard, but I'm happy with the progress I'm making so far. I think I'm hitting a point where I just don't have the technique yet to push the 32nd-note scales faster, but I'll keep giving it my all and trust it'll improve over time 😁
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[@DonaldPotter_ReadingZone]

I been working on the Chaconne for 23 years now. It is like a exceeding high mountain that allures one ever onward and upward for the breathtaking view at the top. Even small sections well executed are a source of exquisite joy.

[@jcpractices]

23 years is incredible! Yes, I feel this will be a lifetime piece for me. I'm working on the D major section now, and sometimes I find myself playing just 1 or 2 simple variations for an hour, as they're just so beautiful. Good luck on your journey, hope to see you at the top!

[@BartVersteeg]

Hi Jon, this is in my opinion the most difficult section. Don’t hesitate to put in in the waiting room and move on to the rest on the piece. It’s such a marvelous composition! Practice the scales in slow tempo (I do them on half speed) and when your muscle memory can only think of Bach you can speed up. Kind regards, Bart

[@jcpractices]

Thanks Bart! I think this is the hardest part too. My hypothesis was that I could use this excerpt and others as technical exercises (❤ slow practice), and only when they develop to a reasonable tempo should I think about expanding to the rest. It’s obviously still on the slow side, but starting to feel reasonable to perform at ~44… even if that ends up with a 20-minute performance 😂 Happy to put this away for a while, enjoy the rest, and come back with stronger technique! 💪

[@fhulkster]

sounded great Jon, well done , the chaconne is a monster , i like you have tried to play this for months , and i keep coming back to it for another go, hope you watched the tonebase guitar youtube video on TY Zhang 's views on playing this piece ,

[@jcpractices]

Thanks HAZ!! I’m really looking forward to watching it today!

[@jcpractices]

Lmao, well this video caused quite a stir in a Facebook group. Sorry not sorry for the mistakes! It’ll get better over time 💪 ⛰️

[@newyearsday7304]

Came here from Reddit! As a violinist, awesome music! Partita No. 2 is very technically and musically challenging to play and I'm sure it took a lot of practice and effort(- someone who's only able to play the first two mvts on violin lol), rude of the members of that group to be so passive aggressive about it. Have a great day!

[@jcpractices]

Thank you!! 💜 Glad you enjoyed it. To be clear, it was only the admin that was rude - all the other comments were a huge outcry defending me and calling him elitist. I felt so supported by everyone! Until the admin banned me 🤣

[@NylonStrings83]

One of the most beautiful piece ever

[@jcpractices]

To me there’s no question! It really, really is.

[@lovelyhollow8638]

Awesome video. I enjoyed your playing and felt quite calm while listening to it

[@jcpractices]

Aw, thank you. I’m really glad you enjoyed it 🙏

[@Itsyoboyjy]

Sounds more melancholy. I’m exaggerating when I say this, but you play with a bit more angst these days.

[@jcpractices]

Thanks bro! (I think?) This was recorded like 2 weeks before layoffs, almost feels relevant

[@brandonwoodson2861]

My problem is I always play it at 26 - 30 minutes. Sometimes I get it to 17 or 18 minutes on a good day. I want to play it at 13 minutes.

[@jcpractices]

I believe in you!! You can get there 💪🏼

[@ericstandefer9138]

Coming along nicely, what make of guitar you have.

[@jcpractices]

Hi Eric, thanks so much! Check out my newer videos, I’m actually “done” with this one now 😁 My guitar is a Kenny Hill New World Performance model. I love it!

[@drogers447]

Great video to watch. I’m learning it on the harpsichord. Gustav Leonhardt arrangement. I plan to work on it till the end of my days and relish every moment with this magnificent piece. Keep enjoying every moment and you will improve and get great joy from it. ❤️

[@jcpractices]

Thank you!! I’m loving every moment and happy that you are too! ☺️

[@SeanFerree]

Awesome video Jon!

[@jcpractices]

Hey thanks Sean! Stay tuned it’ll get better 😁

[@brandonwoodson2861]

What tempo do you practice it?

[@jcpractices]

I practice ~50 when I use the metronome, but I def still slow down in some of the hard parts. “Rubato” 🙃 I’m hitting ~16-17 minutes at the moment. Btw check out the newer episodes in this series! I can do the whole thing now 😁

[@mateofortin-lubin8010]

very nice.

[@jcpractices]

Thank you 🙏

[@DaveGrossmanSoloBass]

Nice work! I've been trying to play this on my bass for over 30 years.

[@jcpractices]

Awesome!! It’s one of those magical pieces that people play their entire lives. I just listened to your electric bass video - wow! Extremely cool. Is that your own transcription? It works really well! Super impressed 👏

[@DaveGrossmanSoloBass]

@@jcpractices Thanks! I'm just playing it as-written with as few deviations from the score as possible.

[@jcpractices]

@@DaveGrossmanSoloBass Extremely impressive! 👏

[@AlTchai]

Wow!!!😮

[@jcpractices]

Thank you! Check out my other videos, I’ve gotten a lot farther! 😁

[@cjbidwell]

Nice job! Keep going. It's on my list as well. Is that the Karl Scheit transcription?

[@jcpractices]

Thanks Chris! I’ve read Scheit’s, but no this is my own, based on the violin urtext from IMSLP. 🙂

[@nicolasDR103]

@@jcpractices nice. lot's of open strings (campanella) on the scales , i like this

[@jcpractices]

@@nicolasDR103 Thanks!! Yeah I really like those open strings 😁

[@ronaldmacpherson3345]

Yes you keep,it up . This is one of the most difficult pieces by Bach and yet the Most satisfying. . I play some of Bach’s works but not this one it’s just beyond my capabilities. But I love hearing it from those who have the skill.

[@jcpractices]

Appreciate you!! 🙏 Hope you check out my final performance, it’s not perfect but I’m very happy with how it turned out! (Titled just “Chaconne in D minor”, not “Learning the Chaconne”)

[@RR-ll1se]

Curious to know who's transcription that is. I have always preferred the transcription from Narcisso Yepes, maybe a little more difficult with more embellishments in some passages but in my opinion more "guitarry" in a sense. Still, great playing, keep up the effort!

[@jcpractices]

Thanks so much, it’s my own! 🙂 I’ve read through a bunch but most closely read Segovia’s, Zigante’s, and Barrueco’s. I’ll take another look at Yepes sometime

[@manwinkler]

I am so impressed .... very warm! Thank you for sharing ....

[@jcpractices]

Thank you!! 😄

[@4DT4DT]

The fingerings are amazing. It sounds almost like a lute or a harp to me, rather than a guitar.

[@jcpractices]

Thank you so much! I’ve put a lot of work into those ❤️

[@Владимир-о3г1п]

Послухайте Андре де Вітіса кращої транскрипції чакони я не чув,з повагою успіху сам вчу вже 189тактів привіт з УКРАЇНИ.

[@jcpractices]

Thank you!! Yes, Andrea de Vitis is brilliant. I hope to someday play it a fraction as well as he does!

[@andresimony1634]

Well done Jon! 👍👏👏👏

[@jcpractices]

Hey thank you!! 🫶 Lots more progress to come!

[@leonardopoerio4007]

very good job!

[@jcpractices]

Hey ty so much

[@tolicoenciclopedia9696]

Good job

[@jcpractices]

Thank you! ☺️

[@ronaldmacpherson3345]

Beautiful

[@jcpractices]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@ronaldmacpherson3345]

You are unique for your dedication. I have studied classical guitar for many years but never got to a level like yours . Very impressive. And of course one needs to acknowledge talent.

[@jcpractices]

@@ronaldmacpherson3345 Thanks man! It’s such a passion for me. I don’t care about becoming a great pro guitarist, just want to keep improving at the time commitment I can justify (~1h/day). And I’m so happy to see people like you are enjoying these hobbyist videos!!

[@stephenoliver2923]

How do you get the split screen view? Thanks!

[@jcpractices]

Hey! I use OBS for the split screen, it’s software primarily used by streamers (this session was livestreamed on Twitch). To display my iPad, I’m using forScore + AirServer

[@guidofeliz8384]

Why don't you work on easier pieces? Don't try to move up so fast in terms of reading advanced scores. This only leads to bitterness and frustration.

[@jcpractices]

Am also doing that, having a lot of fun with this one :)

[@guidofeliz8384]

@@jcpractices : The best way to improve sight reading skills is to do the following: 1. Play basic to intermediate pieces, different genre, not just classical. 2. Select one advanced score to play everyday until you can play it in with ease. Do this and you will improve your sight reading skills and playing. Note: If you plan to play in front of an audience, be sure to play basic to intermediate arrangements. You can never go wrong. Chances are the audience does not know anything about notation. They will think that you are Segovia.

[@guidofeliz8384]

@@jcpractices : I am giving away free solo guitar books. Interested?

[@jcpractices]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[@guidofeliz8384]

@@jcpractices : What is your email address? Do you want the books?