Prelude from Bach Cello Suite in G on Clavichord

[dolofonos]

Anyway, I'm not meaning to be critical in anything but the supplemental sense, and for all I know you staccati where I've suggested otherwise were intentional; but I can see in your performance that you are certainly interested in anything besides boring and uncreative executions. So, I hope the thoughts are well-received as I intend them to be!

[SFChristo]

@dolofonos Hello, the understand the good intentions of your suggestions. So no problem. Right now the video won't load so I can't actually check out what you've suggested. For this piece, I tried to remember what it felt like to actually play it on a real cello back in 1995 and bring that into the performance. This was the most advanced I got on the 'cello. I appreciate the detail you bring to your comments. Thank you for listening!

[dolofonos]

@SFChristo I realized after posting, the significance of emulating the 'cello performance. I'll say your by far a better keyboardist than myself; but I could not pass the opportunity to suggest combining hands to improve legato, in general. I do see players on YouTube lift their hands many times when the alternative isn't obvious. Anyway, you're a model of true amateurism: keyboard, 'cello, composition, painting; it is very admirable. Thank you for sharing your accomplishments!

[SFChristo]

@dolofonos Thank you. I strive to be a good amateur and appreciate that some people are interested in my enthusiasms.

[dolofonos]

For example, in what is the ninth bar in my score and begins about about 0:35, you play the E with your left pinky and C# with your right middle as you ought; but when you come back down you could have ended the descent striking A with your left thumb and thus free the right hand to play GF#E and so on.

[dolofonos]

I find your choice of sustain and attention to both hands even where the left is not required to be very tasteful; however, I think you could stand to improve the legato in some parts by taking advantage of that very hand.

[SFChristo]

@csidearaque Thank you. I too think these go well on the clavichord. Want more?

[danielkirk1]

When i watch someone play on clavichords, i always cringe and imagine the strings breaking and flicking them in the eye! This clavichord looks very safe against that problem, i wonder why not all were constructed like this beautiful clav?

Very nice performance thank you.

[RobertoFasciano]

Very nice!! compliment!

[SFChristo]

@RobertoFasciano Grazie!

[AlphaBlast1]

What is the difference between a clavichord and a harpsichord?

[SFChristo]

@AlphaBlast1 Hello, I have never made a video describing the clavichord, but I made one for the harpsichord: harpsichord 101 How It Works. If you search for that, you'll get an understanding.

[AlphaBlast1]

@SFChristo I did watch that video, and I enjoyed it by the way! But is there a difference between the two instruments?

[SFChristo]

@AlphaBlast1 The clavichord: each key is really part of a simple lever on a pivot in the middle. You press down the key and a little "tangent" (like the head of flat head screwdriver) hits two strings on the other side. The tangent stays in contact with these two strings the whole time and so you can vary the pressure after hitting the key and get a kind of vibrato. If I can ever get my clavichord in good tune again, I'll make a clavichord video explaining it with visuals.

[Karlfalcon]

@AlphaBlast1

Simply put, a Clavichord strikes the strings, much like a Piano, while a Harpsichord actually plucks each string like a Harp or Guitar.

[Mr98giuliano]

this clavichord sounds like an harpsichord!!! fantastic!!!

[MarSwanlake]

Lovely



[hartleymartin]

The Clavichord was typically a small home instrument like the spinet and virginal, although a lot quieter.

[GamatosSifounas]

haha nice D vibrato xD

[SFChristo]

@GamatosSifounas Thank you. On the clavichord, vibrato is called "bebung". Its the only non-electronic keyboard that has the ability to do vibrato. 

[EmilyRules971]

howcome a clavichord hasnt got as many keys as a piano ???

plzz someone replyy .. :)

[EmilyRules971]

Why are the sharp notes white and the normal notes black ????

[SFChristo]

@EmilyRules971 This called a "reverse" keyboard. Just another way to do it.

[ekalb2185]

@EmilyRules971 I think that how they were in the old days,its quite common

[bonazeta]

Video di risposta. Chiara Massini @chiara2010 - J. S. BACH : Cello Suite BWV 1007- Prelude - per Clavicembalo. Chiara Massini is an Italian harpsichordist.

youtube com/ watch?v=swF_HRrMJ08

[bonazeta]

@bonazeta sorry Da: @chiara2110 chiaramassini com

[RMAICY]

awesome

[SFChristo]

@RMAICY Thank you! I am also glad you enjoyed your family vacation in San Francisco. Obrigado! Eu estou igualmente contente você apreciei suas férias em família em San Francisco.

[MsMatty709]

Absolutely beautiful! I wish I could play the clavichord, and to play as well as you do. That would bring me much joy! Thank you for this piece, brings tears to my eyes.

[SFChristo]

@MsMatty709 Oh thank you so much. :) I don't know how I missed your kind comment before now.

[agger382]

Why don't you do any vibrato?

[SFChristo]

@agger382 Hello. I do at 1:30. Vibrato/bebung can be overused.

[dxf323]

@agger382 What ?? its a keyboard

[agger382]

@dxf323 You can do vibrato on clavichord. It is the only keyboard that has this feature.

[dxf323]

@agger382 That sounds great, I want one :D



[lucas6534]

one cuestion. please answer me for my mail of youtube. F# of piano is equal a Eb in clavichord?

[SFChristo]

@lucas6534 F# of piano = G on clavichord.

If you play a C major scale on clavichord, it will sound like B major to someone who has perfect pitch. Its based on an older idea of what "A" is. Modern = A 440 (vibrations per second), older = (sometimes!) A 415 which is 1/2 step down from modern pitch.

In Beethoven's time it was in-between. A=430.

[Enix5548]

@SFChristo Is it tuned in equal temperament? The chords sound quite out of tune. The tone is lovely though.

[SFChristo]

@Enix5548 Hello. The clavichord's tangents are fixed by the builder. It is tuned in Van Bizen (which is somewhat similar to Young).

[InbictaProductionzZ]

i would go for a more rubato playing, but its really nice the way you're playing it :)

[SFChristo]

@InbictaProductionzZ Thank you. I probably play more freely when I'm not thinking about the camera recording.

[InbictaProductionzZ]

@SFChristo yeah, i know, playing in front of a camera can be very hard. you'll get used to it. i never did xD

[JoelvanLennep]

Wonderful, rich clearly-preojecting sound! Good bebung too. Did you say you were "practicing"? Nonetheless, your playing is nicely musical. Thank you. Upward and onward!

[Hyperventilacion]

I love that song, can you pass me the notes? (i don't know how to say it in english, partiture?)

[SFChristo]

@Hyperventilacion Hello, please check my video description: FAQ above for a potential source for the music.

[SFChristo]

@ragipsoldier Dover publishes it but you can probably find it here:

search for "imslp" on google. This amazing site has an incredible amount of music for free. (old editions which are perfect for this). Try to get the original printing not an edition filled with dynamics and slurs.

[ragipsoldier]

@SFChristo thank you i found it

[SFChristo]

@ragipsoldier The Dover ed. (reprint) is "pure" in that it doesn't contain any editorial suggestions.

[indispettito]

tempo!

:)

[SFChristo]

@indispettito Dovrò imparare l'italiano in modo da posso imparare come cucinare dai vostri video.

[daytonmlivingston]

Where can you purchase clavichords??

[Daphonester]

@daytonmlivingston clavmart

[SFChristo]

@daytonmlivingston YouTube won't let me post websites here. But you can write me a message and I'll tell a place to look. We got ours from a builder in San Francisco, Gary Blaise.

[savethetrees433]

I was wondering what the difference between a Clavichord and a harpsichord was (in terms of construction, sound, etc). Also, very nice job! I'm sure Yo-Yo Ma would approve.

[britcrit09]

A very pleasing rendition of a superb piece of music! Thank you for uploading.

[SFChristo]

@britcrit09 Thank you!

[kantele2008]

What wonderful playing! And what a wonderful sounding clavichord! Thank you for sharing this with us. Please post more clavichord pieces.

[SFChristo]

Thank you for your encouragement, kantele!

[MrAsc0001]

exelent better than my version on harpsichord.

[BorisCr]

you have beautiful hands, I wish mine can do half as much music as yours...

[SFChristo]

Thank you, Boris!

[earlymusicus]

Beautiful!

[SFChristo]

Hi philateliceun,

Clavichords and most other instruments of the Baroque period were tuned down from modern pitch. These days that's been set at about 1/2 step lower than modern pitch. (A=415 hz instead of modern A=440)

[philateliceun]

???? Your G sounds like a F# on my piano here. Weird.

[allthenamesrtook]

then ur piano is out of tune because this is perfectly in tune :P

[aunshi22]

Awesome, dude....

[HARRY1BEATLE]

CHIDA MUSICA

[SFChristo]

¡Gracias, HARRY1BEATLE!

[didaasianboy]

wow. never seen that instrument, pretty cool! good job

[francisco6050]

5 stars!!!! great!!!

[SFChristo]

Thank you, francisico6050. Greetings from SAN Francisco.

[anisometropie]

1:31 are you trying to do a vibrato on clavichord ??

[SFChristo]

Hi anisometropie. Yes, I AM doing vibrato on the clavichord. Its called "bebung". Good luck on your 'cello progress. I took cello for two years and was playing this piece when I stopped but never very in-tune!

[anisometropie]

It's really unusual to see a vibrato on keyboard actually :) but when you know how it works it's not that strange. I thought It worked like an harpsichord

[mortson978]

The advantage to playing this piece on a keyed instrument, is you can use sustain in the fundamentals, like the low g in the first five bars. That is not possible on cello.

A clavichord is a hammered instrument correct?

[SFChristo]

Hi Mortson978, that's right, on the 'cello one has to depend on just a hint of "after ring". On the clavi I get to hold the bass notes. The clavichord it technically hammered, but it is so gentle. Its more like caressing the strings. A small blade edge that looks like the end of a screwdriver head, hits two strings and I am in contact with them as long as I am holding down the key. I can even press down and produce vibrato.

[mortson978]

Ah very interesting. It sounds like the cristofori mechanism was far from invention when the clavichord was around.

So what you're telling me, is an off center hammer could affect tuning?

[SFChristo]

The hammer is not off center. The tangent hits the strings from below. Then I keep my finger down on the key and the tangent stays connected to the two strings. If I push down even more, the tangent pushes upwards against the strings.

The strings actually move and stretch a bit. The tension goes up and the pitch goes higher. If I wiggle my finger, I get a pitch vibrato called "bebung".

[mortson978]

Ah! I see. How can i get my hands on a clavichord?

Also, are the higher keys weighted more to counter-act the longer arms on the hammers?

[SFChristo]

Hi mortson978. In the USA a good place to look at first is The Harpsichord Clearing house. (harpsichord(dot)com) In the UK I think there are some fine builders and perhaps a shop for used instruments.

The higher keys have the same super light action as the others. The arms/levers are not any longer. Perhaps I should make a clavichord demo video to show all of this.

[mortson978]

It's a fascinating instrument.

[0barrylloyd]

Oh my god! I went to school with Gary Blaise. I own one of his very first(if not his first) clavichords. A little fretted Zuckermann. I work as a Cabaret singer/pianist now, but I went to the SF Conservatory of Music. Under grad in Piano and composition (studied with John Adams) and grad in Harpsichord (with Laurette Goldberg) I am also a part time painter. Studied art on and on for years at City College. Sounds like we have a lot in common. We should know each other.

[SFChristo]

Hello Barry. Why don't you send some more details in a PM.

[0barrylloyd]

I feel like an idiot, but what is and how do I "PM"?

[michaeljking]

I enjoyed this very much, many thanks! Is that a double fretted model or an unfretted Hubert? It has a lovely sound in the lower keyboard, very nice

[SFChristo]

Thank you, Michael! I took 'cello as a minor at conservatory and got to the level of playing this piece. I noticed that the clavichord had a cello-like sound and so I could transport my cello playing onto the clavichord.

Its double fretted except for the bottom octave and all D's and A's are unfretted. I don't usually notice the fretting.

[SFChristo]

Thank you, mwvh1!

[mwvh1]

wonderful sound, excellent!

[aawpiano2007]

interesting....

[SFChristo]

Thank you.

[Ravensinger]

This is so lovely. It makes me miss my harpsichord so very much. I'm so intrigued by your clavichord. The technique for this instrument has to be different than any other keyboard instruments...is it?

[SFChristo]

Thank you. The clavichord IS different. You finger stays in direct contact with the string as long as you hold down the key. This also means that is the only traditional keyboard instrument capable of vibrato (which you can hear when I get the fermata in about the middle of the prelude).

[SFChristo]

I've been thinking about this some more. The piano is hammered with some felt and wood. The harpsichord is plucked by tiny "guitar" picks. But the clavichord does not feel hammered. It feels like I am really touching the string directly. It is almost more like a cello or guitar.

[Ravensinger]

Very interesting!!! Must be a neat feel!