pinky0926 posted...
Bach didn't write anything for guitar, and often when he composed things for lute it was on a "lautenwerk", a now extinct lute harpsichord - a keyboard instrument with gut strings that sounded like a lute.
The consequence of this is that you have stuff that is very logical and sensible to play on a keyboard but due to the totally alien layout of a guitar - not to mention less available fingers - you have to do all kinds of ridiculous spider acrobatics to make it work.
You can tell when music is written for guitar. Even if it's very difficult to play it still feels like it was written by someone who knows how a guitar works.
Bach's music can be slow and plodding but still require a lot of skill because your hands get in the way. I guess an analogy would be like trying to type with your toes rather than your hands. It feels like you're making it harder than it needs to be.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing!
I could never be a composer. Instruments have so many quirks. For example, I play the bassoon, and F# and Eflat are tough to play in tune. But who besides a bassoon player would know that?
The bassoon part for Variations on a Korean Folk Song is basically impossible to play. Its in the lowest register, and there are no (known) alternate fingerings to make the runs playable. Who knew? I didnt until I was in a band with someone who knew the principal bassoonist for the (nearby major city)s symphony orchestra. So then I felt better about not being able to play the piece. If the professional says its nearly impossible.