Bach Goldberg Variation 1

I have fallen in love with the Goldberg Variations and have memorized four or five of them. One of my favorites is the very first one after the theme (Aria). It took about two weeks over the summer to memorize but I managed it. And my speed is coming along nicely. However, I find that in the hand-crossing part I tend to slow down. Any suggestions apart from just practicing this over and over?

Can you post the sheet music of this section? I'd be glad to help.

Hi Matthieu:

I'm sorry it took so long to reply to your kind offer. The music can be downloaded for free here https://afpa.hooxs.com/song-help-f42/bach-goldberg-variation-1-t1447.htm?highlight=goldberg I actually use a different edition (Henle Urtext) but have no on-line version of it.
The part I have trouble with because I slow down when I cross my hands -- comes in the first variation (after the Aria) and is in the 3rd and 4th last bar of the first section before the repeats. In the Peter's edition edited by Czerny -- the fingering is the same as what I use.

Carol

Oops -- here is the link to the composers section of the ISMP site -- just click on JS Bach and then Goldberg and you'll find a bunch of different versions.
http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Composers

Carol

Hey!

I read the section you asked about. You're probably afraid to miss the F# below with your right hand, aren't you?
First, I'd practice this section very slowly, but with a steady beat (a metronome is maybe not a bad idea in this case... but I never used one so I'm not sure if it's really good. Anyway the beat must be steady: don't slow down at the hand crossing section) and I would pay attention to the fact that your finger has to lead your arm for the crossing. That means that you need to have the feeling that there is a string attached to your finger, that pulls your entire arm to the right key, or in other words: you must have the impression that your fingertip is using all its strength to make your arm move, not that the arm is bringing the finger to the right place.
This is necessary to develop a full security on this jump, and will help you play this section effortlessly.
Good luck!

You've analyzed it right -- I do hesitate from fear about missing the F# -- and the G natural too in the next bar. I'll try your suggestion. It never occurred to me to lead with the fingertip! Thank you. As for the metronome, like you I never use it to practice -- only to decide if my tempo is reasonably correct. The thing is as far as metronomes -- I sort of have one in my head -- that's how I know that I slow down at this bit. But I can try it out as long as it doesn't speed up or slow down (joke)

By the way, the link I posted to find the Goldberg piece is also useful for finding a lot of public domain music for free -- it can be a valuable source for pianists who can't afford the high price of printed music.

Yes, I already knew this online library! It's very useful indeed!