Chords and Melodic Lines in Bach’s Chaconne (opening) | Violin Lounge TV #407

by | Feb 10, 2021 | Bowing Technique, Practice Tips, Repertoire | 8 comments

Tips on the chords and melodic lines in the opening of the Chaconne from partita no 2 for solo violin BWV 1004 by JS Bach:

In performing Bach’s chaconne there are roughly three styles:

(and in reality of course endless possibilities)

#1 Play every chord in full

A bit old fashioned and romantic way in which you play very thick chords.

#2 Let mainly the upper two notes ring

Play the chord and maintain the double stop of the two upper notes after that.

#3 Break the chord quickly and maintain the top note

This is great for letting the melody stand out, but it also has it’s disadvantages.

In the video above I demonstrate all three ways and explain their pros and cons.

Did this video inspire your interpretation?

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Hi! I'm Zlata

Classical violinist helping you overcome technical struggles and play with feeling by improving your bow technique.

‘Geen dag zonder Bach’ we say in Dutch, which means ‘no day without Bach’ and I almost live that way.

I know that I will study Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin for the rest of my life and that’s something I look forward to.

Let me know in the comments about which partita or sonata movement I should make a next video:

8 Comments

  1. Geoffrey Grimes

    Hi Zlata I.love your videos this one is far too hard for me but I Love your.explanations and playing Geoff

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth

    Very instructional thank you. Chords are sure difficult. Orchestra piece I am zooming is by Bolougne with relatively easy 3 note chord C#D open D. The higher sound is so tiny.

    Reply
  3. Hung

    Really beautiful, I can feel it when you tell the story and it really touched me when you expained the part alone and together, I loved it, thank you Zlata!

    Reply
    • Zlata

      You’re so welcome, thank you!

      Reply
  4. t

    There are already at least three ways just for the first step onto Everest.

    Within the first chord there are also difference in the fraction of time for the bottom two strings versus top two.

    Infinity right from the start of the start !

    Reply
    • Zlata

      Exactly!

      Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Vibrato and Double Stops in Bach's Chaconne (major part) | Violin Lounge TV #412 - Violin Lounge - […] this video about the opening of the Chaconne, in which I teach some tricks and interpretation ideas around the…

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