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Bach Minuet 1 TAB

Bach, "Minuet #1" (TAB)

Transcription and Fingering: Renato Bellucci

The greatest musical genius of all time,  could simply not let down his wife and millions of fans for many generations to come! What was written as a gift for his wife to improve her keyboard playing, turned into one of the most recognizable melodies ever written. The original key in which Bach wrote the piece is G. I deliberately changed it to C because I know that the tonality renders well on the guitar and allows for greater expression.

Anna Magdalena Bach, was a brilliant professional soprano. She married Johannes at the age of 21. She was the Master's  musical confidante, and mother of 11 children. After Sebastian’s death, and left destitute without a will, Anna Magdalena recounts life with her husband and children, her great joy of performing. Maestro Abel Carlevaro gave me her diary to read. It changed my life and my views of the great German master forever. It is the portrayal of female strength and spirited will and the wife of the greatest musical genius ever.

Once again, the master presents us with a simple idea which appears in the first part (the 2 circled notes in the image below). These are to be seen as semi column in writing. The French  a very fashionable dance of the Minuet but Bach's masterworks were simply "too beautiful to be danced to". It is known that at certain balls, people would simply stay put and clap at the players after a Bach work was played. When one of Bach's patrons told the master "My guests cannot dance at your dance music!", Bach answered "The thing is that I want them to listen and not to dance".

Recurring musical idea.

Staff and Video 1

These are probably the 4 most recognizable measures of music in the universe.

Bach Minuet 1 TAB

Finger 3 works as a guide in the change of position in measure 3. It also acts as pivot by allowing the left hand to rotate and help finger 2 to reach the E on string 5.

Notice how the forearm pushes the wrist forward forcing the bend at the main joint between the arm and the left hand.

Video 1
Asunción, July 16, 2004
Revision: Santa Monica, CA, December 3, 2012

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