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Sleepers Awake/Bach-guitar by thetiler [Email]
Genre: Classical

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 3667
Comments: 35
Votes: 30
Plays: 1214
Last Played: Oct 06, 2008 - 03:06:47 AM
Downloads: 161
Fans: 10
Uploaded: Mar 28, 2006 - 07:44:58 AM
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2006 - 02:15:18 AM



Keywords:
solo guitar (14)classical (372)acoustical guitar (21)fingerstyle guitarist (2)solo instrumental (1)soloist (90) ()
Description:
(Wachet Auf) from Cantata No.140 by Johann Sebastian Bach.

This piece usually is played on a nylon string classical guitar. But I recorded it with Betsy, my steel string om/pw Santa Cruz acoustical guitar.


I am amazed by Bach's depth of musical knowledge in the pieces I've heard. His pieces are always a challenge because the fingering on the guitar is not just picking cords or relying on heavy rhythm. His pieces sure seem to have staying power.

Hope you enjoy this piece. Not an easy one.

Hardware:
2mics, pre amp

Software:
GB2
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back 20 years ago &mdash 03/28/06 - 08:28:21 AM
I did play a version of this on my classical guitar with a flautist. I didn't
even attempt a solo version. I played a lot of Bach. I often used an
alternate tuning of F# rather than G for several pieces, because my
teacher was very into lute pieces, which this might have been played on,
back in the days of Bach. The alternate tuning made some of the arpegios
and scale passages lay more easily under the fingers, and I could change
position rather than do stretches (my hands are small.) I congratulate you
on a difficult piece played well, and on a steel string guitar, yet. You must
have fingertips of iron! Thanks for sharing this lovely piece.

[ Reply to This ]
back 20 years ago &mdash 03/28/06 - 09:36:10 AM
Thanks, the piece is a D tuning, the E string is dropped to D. it makes the bass
notes easier for his style the way the guitar strings situated. I love playing the
acoustic guitar, especially the Santa Cruz guitars because the have good fret and
string action. My Takamine was more difficult to press down. But it is more of a
challenge on the steel string, but there seems to be a revolution in the acoustic
steel string guitar field with players like Leo Kotkie, Micheal Hedges, Fahey. They
have contributed greatly to the advancement of the acoustical guitar.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Fantastic!! &mdash 03/28/06 - 09:04:03 AM
This is great Bill! How you can get through a piece like this without an
error or even a slight hesitation is beyond me. I don't know a lot about
classical music, mostly through guitar pieces like this, but Bach is a
favorite of mine also. You just marvel at the genius these guys had!

[ Reply to This ]
Fantastic!! &mdash 03/31/06 - 09:04:53 AM
yes, bach to me was the ultimate genius, seems like if there ever was a
composer to let into heaven first he would be the one. I think his personal life
was pretty incredible as well. I think he had lots of kids and I think he
succesfully raised them. I don't know much about his wife though sorry to say.

I guess I'll have to check that out.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Love the picture &mdash 03/28/06 - 09:17:21 AM
and the masterful playing Bill. This is a very difficult piece, especially on
guitar, yet you pulled it off masterfully. As Kristine said, "You must have
fingertips of iron!" :-)

God bless,

Rick


[ Reply to This ]
Watch Out - Push Bach Furner and Furner &mdash 03/28/06 - 10:04:41 AM
A beautiful piece by Bach, and as usual, amazingly played... not only do
you play with music-box-like precision, but you also manage to imbue a
lot of warmth into this. I love the little trills you manage to play.
Wonderful stuff!

ttfn,
Drakonis agape

[ Reply to This ]
Mine ears are happy &mdash 03/28/06 - 01:40:08 PM
You played that in one take, amazing.
I'm glad you posted this. You never hear classical other than on nylon.
Sound so much more classical on steel. Kind of like a nylon guitar and
a harpsichord in one. Fine work tiler.

Take care of them fingers.


[ Reply to This ]
Fantastic &mdash 03/28/06 - 06:28:36 PM
Wow, love that baroque kinda feel. This is beautiful music, and it sounds complex in a lot of subtle ways. In fact it's so intricate that it's kind of boggling that you can play it solo. Bravo Bach and Furner! Encore!

[ Reply to This ]
Fantastic &mdash 03/28/06 - 06:31:28 PM
Thanks perceptualvortex

Bach is one of the harder ones I think, it wasn't orginally transcribed for guitar.
So that poses it's challenges to play for sure.



---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
So...you do this... &mdash 03/28/06 - 07:10:24 PM
...AND you run a business....

AND, (and of course I'm just assumin', here), you do all the regular
things like sleep, and brush your teeth, and eat breakfast and stuff,
right?...

Really, Bill, it's okay if you have to admit that maybe, for instance, YOU
NEVER SLEEP BECAUSE YOU'RE PRACTICING or something like that...
'Cause to some extent that lets the rest of us off the hook... it gives us
an excuse...

Sheesh, man.

All right. Humor me. Next post from you is 'Kumbaya', got it? Big bold
strums...

And I don't want to see it posted here for at least an hour...

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
So...you do this... &mdash 03/28/06 - 10:11:01 PM
So...you do this...
Authored by: Ejh on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 19:10:24 -0600
...AND you run a business....

AND, (and of course I'm just assumin', here), you do all the regular
things like sleep, and brush your teeth, and eat breakfast and stuff,
right?...

Really, Bill, it's okay if you have to admit that maybe, for instance, YOU
NEVER SLEEP BECAUSE YOU'RE PRACTICING or something like that...
'Cause to some extent that lets the rest of us off the hook... it gives us
an excuse...

Sheesh, man.

All right. Humor me. Next post from you is 'Kumbaya', got it? Big bold
strums...

And I don't want to see it posted here for at least an hour...

Ed
[ Reply to This ]


Sometimes I think it is little futile what I do, I don't make much money at it.
Certainly not like my tile installation business. But It conveys feelings and
emotions that are important for me to extend away from me. Maybe not
really successfully. But I do treasure peoples responses, I don't really
understand why I am so driven when the return for what I do doesn't seem
like much. But again, I am very greatful for all the people that have
commented and shown appreciation. How can you put a price tag on that?

Thanks Ed for being such an outstanding poster to many of my tunes or ones
that I've played.
My wife sometimes does have to yank me off the computer or guitar and get
me to go to bed. And I do have an insomnia problem, I've been pretty good
with it, but sometimes it reas it's ugly head :)

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Bach! &mdash 03/28/06 - 07:15:57 PM
I saw Bach in your title and I KNEW I would instantly love it! The piece
is lovely and really shows off your guitar skills. Fantastic job on the
trills! My fingers are aching just listening to you.

[ Reply to This ]
Bach! &mdash 03/28/06 - 10:13:06 PM
Thanks notso, I treasure your posts!

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Tilerian indeed! &mdash 03/28/06 - 11:25:18 PM
This piece exemplifies a Tilerian dexterity in guitar-paying. (Sorry..can't
resist employing one of my leonisms in a song like this that so richly
deserves the highest praise!)

[ Reply to This ]
hooooray furner &mdash 03/29/06 - 04:34:16 AM
this is an astonishin piece tiler. some of your best playing!! I can't say
much other than you have my total admiration.

While you and i continue to play our guitars...the rest of the world goes
about it's business....you and i have no choice but to play. We have
known for a long time it aint for the money. We HAVE to play. We are
th lucky ones...we can hide away in a small room with our beloved
guitar ladies...and make music...we don't need anything else!

blees ya tiler!!!

[ Reply to This ]
Miracle &mdash 03/29/06 - 05:47:32 AM
Sound in which Europe of the Middle Ages is associated.
The performance technology flies up sky-high.

[ Reply to This ]
wonderful playing &mdash 03/29/06 - 11:51:13 AM
keeping in mind that Bach didn't write for guitar... the most important
aspect of playing classical is interpretation... often classical players will
play the NOTES.... you have not forgotten that Bach is putting so much
more across... FEEL.... this was splendid.... and you my friend have
been playing for awhile!!! Bravo

thanx; Scott

[ Reply to This ]
wonderful playing &mdash 03/30/06 - 07:20:27 AM
Thanks scott, I think your verily new here, thnanks for sharing your music as
well. Your very talented!

Thanks again

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Beautiful--thanks &mdash 03/29/06 - 03:32:56 PM
How can anyone rate this low on Song Writing/Content? It Bach forchrissakes!!!

Thanks for the picking--as a budding fingerpicker, it's inspiring. I doubt I'll ever get this far, but it sure makes me want to go practice my alternating thumb 12 bar blues some more!!

[ Reply to This ]
Beautiful--thanks &mdash 03/30/06 - 07:23:42 AM
Thanks, I guess one of the main things about playing for me is the enjoyment of
playing a well composed piece. I guess that is really what gives me the energy to
continue with the guitar. The steel string is surely a different animal. If the
strings are not tuned right on especially the b string, it can take a lot of the
energy away from the composition.



---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Beyond critique &mdash 03/30/06 - 03:45:29 AM
At least from me. Wonderful interpretation of this. Extremely well played
and enjoyable. I find it somewhat awesome that you are picking this on
Betsy, instead of an easier playing nylon string guitar. Bravo!

[ Reply to This ]
Beyond critique &mdash 03/30/06 - 07:30:47 AM
When I first played Betsy, not her name at the time, at a guitar show in San
Rafael Calf. I really loved how it felt holding her. True to her position in life, I
had to play over lots of electric guitar players playing the selected riffs, so it was
a challenge to hear the true sound. But luckily I found a few hallways to hunker
down to and really listen to her. I paid quite a bit for her and it's one of my most
prized possessions. I did have a classical Rameriz guitar, a segovia model but
fell off my truck on highway 101 near San Francisco. Never seen it since.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
mmmmm...Bach! &mdash 03/31/06 - 12:44:19 AM
Nicely played. Bless your obedient fingers, sir. This is impressive. I always
look forward to new contributions from thetiler.


Give my regards to Betsy!

[ Reply to This ]
mmmmm...Bach! &mdash 04/01/06 - 10:16:19 PM
Thanks TC, I really appreciate, thanks for making me feel wanted :)

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
added to fav's &mdash 04/02/06 - 02:58:55 PM
this is beautiful. no hesitency, very fluid, well done. i not an expert on
guitar sounds. but compared to most recordings i've heard you have a
great set up and awesome understanding of mic placement. very clean

[ Reply to This ]
added to fav's &mdash 04/02/06 - 03:29:46 PM
Thanks for mentioning that, mic seems like have the battle alright especially
when do a slow peaceful type piece and you wanna bring out the acoustic
qualities and make them float. It's also am am learning, is to stop and let the
music ring out and sustain those notes and chords. In other words don't be
afraid to have a little pause for the cause:) I have to keep reminding myself that
or all forget:)

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Wonderful touch &mdash 04/02/06 - 10:14:24 PM
Your playing is such a pleasure to listen to, Bill. This piece, done with
great skill, brings such tranquility, calm, peace, serenity...

Your contributions to this site are many and golden. Thank you for all you
give here, musically, and with your kind spirit. All appreciated on all
levels.

[ Reply to This ]
Wonderful touch &mdash 04/02/06 - 10:54:42 PM
Thanks futz!

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Peace. &mdash 05/07/06 - 02:11:09 PM
Well, we have had a day filled with life's little stresses -- nothing
major, just typical things, including a lot of squabbling by our kids --
and suddenly, things are calm because the kids fell asleep. So I
thought I'd play your version of "Wachet Auf" for my wife, who is a
non-musician and loves music, and it helped create a sublime sense of
peace. So thanks very much. You are a beautiful player.

I should also apologize for not commenting earlier; I could have sworn
I did, because I listened to it several times and enjoyed it, but
apparently I didn't.

Is this your own arrangement? If so, what did you base it on (i.e.
orchestral score, or a piano reduction, etc.?)

Thanks again. I am a huge fan.

[ Reply to This ]
Peace. &mdash 05/14/06 - 10:48:03 PM
I've added things here and there. Not the same as the way bach did it. It is alot
harder to do that on an acoustical guitar. But I love the sound of the acoustical.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Peace. &mdash 05/16/06 - 06:18:28 AM
I guess I'm curious to know if you do your arrangements by ear, or are you
basing it on a score, or both, or ...? 'Cause you do a fantastic job, and I'm
always curious about the process.

---
New work for <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20829">live orchestra</a>.

[ Reply to This ]
Peace. &mdash 05/17/06 - 11:55:08 PM
I really don't wirite the notes on paper. I do depend on my ears and sound a lot.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Bach &mdash 06/27/06 - 09:54:24 AM
I don't play guitar, just a little piano, but back many years ago when I was
taking lessons Bach was my favorite composer of all time. He still is, I
think, and your recording of this music has become one of my favorite
Bach performances ever. You are amazing, and I thank you for sharing
this with us.

[ Reply to This ]
Bach &mdash 07/03/06 - 11:03:18 AM
Thanks M R

Ya, Bach is probably one of the most celebrated composers in heaven. If he isn't
I would be very surprised.

---
You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album.

[ Reply to This ]
Bach Rocks! &mdash 09/20/06 - 01:41:28 AM
Bach is my all time hero. I am always searching for new renditions of his
music, either with acoustic instruments or synthetizer, either with faithful
renditions or with improvised arrangements. He is the essence of music
and your performance again goes into my favorites. With this particular
piece, I close my eyes and go back in time to my childhood listening to
my father's old LP's in his Phillips Console.....Thank you

[ Reply to This ]
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