The Art of teaching Bach Chorales
Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009
by Elfreda Eriksen
Bach harmonized 371 Lutheran chorales, each one a little gem of wisdom. They were collected together in a volume called Riemenscheinder which is often refered to as the "Bible of Austro-German Harmony."
Introducing the chorales to students as something of great significance, an influence on generations of great composers thereafter, instills a sense of purpose and mystery in the minds of those who are about to discover these timeless treasures.
All this can be observed by the student through discovery, prompted by the question: "What are the characteristics of a chorale?"
Students will first need to know their key signatures and this can be presented by a grid for the students to complete, order of sharps and then flats, the major and relative minors and then the accidentals.. (If anyone would like the grid for this, email me on elfreda2008@yahoo.co.uk).
On completion of the grid it will become apparent how the five related keys lie closely together. The student can then work out the five related keys by placing them in alphabetical order: Major-minor-minor-Major-minor, upper case being major, lower case being minor thus: CdeFGa
It works in all major keys and with minors you start with the minor, go up a minor 3rd then carry on with the major system: aCdeFG.
As Bach modulates to these 5 closely related keys, knowledge and understanding of keys and chord relationships is essential before moving on.
End of lesson one. In the second part I will be looking at how students will begin analyzing chords. In the third part we will consider the rules of 4 part writing, cadences, stylistic features. In the 4th lesson you will see for the first time a pivot chord table that I have invented to help students move smoothly from one key to another. As a final section I will be including my research into the old version of Bach chorales from my many visits over the years to the British library in London. ( Any questions can be
asked by emailing me).
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