Piano Practice Tips for Bach's Little Prelude in F (BWV 927)

[@pennyplaysbach]

Here's my performance of this Little Prelude✨: kzbin.infoqG42Nnghn_w?feature=share And here's the short where I take apart the piece: kzbin.infoYLkKFzc6xJ8?feature=share🔪

[@MacKenziePoet]

I am not a pianist, but I find these Penny Johnson videos a pure joy. One really begins to appreciate both Bach and the art of interpreting his works.

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you so much!❤🎹

[@jdane2277]

That is how I often do phrasing. That lift at the end of the phrase.

[@robinthomsoncomposer]

Yep totally agree with your comment in relation to the different mindsets required for teaching and performing. I know I am often at risk of producing a complete mess of a demo whilst teaching.

[@JSB2500]

Wonderful Penny. Thank you for taking me on your journey of identifying the difficulties in this piece, and finding solutions to them! I never learned this piece precisely because I didn't have these solutions. About the F E D C melodic line you discuss at 20:40: If this is played on the organ in a resonant building, it's natural to play the top semiquavers a little tenuto - it causes that line to resonant and hence sing exactly as you do with your voice here. Also, it's natural to articulate (variably shorten) the semiquavers before the melody notes to make the melody notes shine. Failing to do these things results in the notes not making it through the acoustics intact - arriving at the listener as a tumble / jumble of notes. I mention this just in case it is of interest to you, not because it's useful to you! When I heard you talk and sing about this, I thought "That's how it would sing on the organ in a church. I wonder whether that's what Bach was thinking...". Even if it was, making the transition from organ-in-a-church to piano-in-a-dry-acoustic is a tricky one indeed IMO. On the organ, tenuto gives a note greater energy - and hence volume and duration (from the reverb). On the piano, greater note energy comes from greater hammer velocity - an entirely different means of expression. So instead of doing that, I will study carefully what you do here, and learn from it 😃. Thanks again! 🙂

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you, John! What you say reminds me of my teacher, Constance Keene, who advised students to "listen for the spaces between the notes." It's interesting how organists have what seems to me to be far more opportunities to play in large, resonant spaces than pianists, unless it's a pianist with a concert schedule that hits on the major concert venues of the world. I was always baffled with how to adjust my playing to a large hall, because I'd practice thousands of hours in a tiny practice room (a closet with a piano) back in my student days in NY and then suddenly have to play in a degree recital in a concert hall of moderate proportions with just a single rehearsal in the space. Sometimes, there were other opportunities to try out the pianos in the large spaces, but usually no as space was at a premium with so many performance majors doing recitals and such. Ms. Keene's advice, which stemmed from Josef Hofmann, really was a life changing pianistic episode in my life.✨🎹

[@looksee1001]

When you first show the contrast btw toss versus slap another big diff is that you are "all in" on that second rendition, fully engaged and at one with the music.

[@pennyplaysbach]

Yes, I noticed that when I watched it back. It’s always rather awkward for me to try and play how I think is poor playing. The passion gushes, along with my instinctive movements, however, when the gates are open and I’m free to be me.

[@fitness.systems]

One of your best videos Penny..... I really enjoyed it very much !! 💕

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you so much, Gary! I really tried.❤

[@dnylsun]

What a precious channel you have 💗 🙏

[@pennyplaysbach]

@@dnylsun Thank you so much!💚🎹

[@dnylsun]

@ you’re welcome! 💜

[@jazzjens]

Wonderful!

[@pennyplaysbach]

@@jazzjens Thank you!

[@michaelp62]

I'm so happy I found your KZbin videos! I love Bach and your videos inspire me to play more Bach. I'm returning to the piano after not playing for a number of years (decades, really). I'll be viewing more of your lessons. I'm starting with the 2 part inventions. May I request your help with the E-Major 2 part invention?

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you so much, Michael! I hope to eventually have a tutorial up for all of the Inventions. Happy practicing to you!🎹💛

[@andik7339]

Yeah a new video by you 🎉 thnx for ur instructions

[@pennyplaysbach]

@@andik7339 Thank you, Andi!☺️

[@АндрейЗорин-е7г]

Пенни, у вас красивый, нежный голос. )

[@pennyplaysbach]

What a kind thing to say! Thank you!💛

[@АндрейЗорин-е7г]

@@pennyplaysbach я же русский ;) А русские, что думают, то и говорят!

[@Lawlystyle]

Wonderful penny ❤

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you!🎹

[@jameswall6270]

Wonderful musician

[@pennyplaysbach]

Thank you, James!

[@Thefare1234]

Nice shade on the 🎸 community

[@pennyplaysbach]

Oh? Thank you!