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3 | The Bass Strings

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Peter Kun Frary

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In this session, you'll continue with the fourth string and learn to play Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Johann Sebastian Bach | E.G. Haussmann, 1695-1774 | Bach-Archiv Leipzig

bach

Back to Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, to a family of musicians spanning six generations from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. His best-known works are the Brandenburg Concertos, Orchestral Suites, and Cantatas.

French Suite No. 1 BWV 812 | Johann Sebastian Bach's autograph manuscript of a keyboard Sarabande (1722) | Bach-Archiv Leipzig

sarabande score

Cantata

In the Baroque Lutheran Church, the cantata was a large vocal work with soloists, choir and orchestra. Bach composed over three hundred cantatas. Today's piece, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, is an arrangement of the ritornello (theme) from Bach's Cantata No. 147.

Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring | Peter Kun Frary

Study Tips

Jesu Ritornello (theme)

The ritornello of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring consists of flowing quarter notes. The constant motion, pinky stretches to the low F-sharp, and triple meter feel can be taxing, so take it slow at first. Accent the downbeat so the triple meter swings like a pendulum.

Key Signature

The key signature in Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring has a sharp on the top line, i.e., the F line. Thus, you must sharp all F notes throughout the piece, including the F on the fourth string.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (third line) | All F notes are sharp.

jesus sharps

The F-sharp at measure 10 requires use of a stretched out fourth finger to reach the fourth fret. Spot practice measures 10 and 11 to increase fluidity.

Pickup Notes

Like Amazing Grace, Jesu begins with a pickup. However, instead of a one beat pickup, Jesu features a two beat pickup (two quarter notes): count one beat and begin playing on beat two. However, you'll drop in the groove more easily if you countdown an extra measure: count 1-2-3-1 and begin on 2.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (first line) | The pickup notes begin on beat 2.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (first line) | The pickup notes begin on beat 2.

The final measure of Jesu has only one beat, rather than three, in order to connect seamlessly to the pickup notes at the beginning when you repeat.

Tempo

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring sounds best performed at a brisk allegro tempo (120 BPM+). Begin practicing at a slow tempo and gradually work up to allegro.

Listen to the Track

Watch the video to absorb the feel of the piece. This version is slower than the video above, making it ideal for playing along with.

Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring | Frary Guitar Duo

Play the Melody Now!

Practice the melody of Jesu until smooth. Play along with the audio track or video to help shore up your rhythm.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring | Melody only—play along!

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ©PK FRARY

Once the melody of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is sounds smooth, work on the chords.

Chords

Due to the fast tempo of this piece, the simple strum 3/4 is recommended: strum once per measure on the downbeat.

jesu strum

Play the Chords Now!

Practice the chords by strumming along with the track below:

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Download | Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Daily Review

Leave time during practice to review prior materials. Most pieces take weeks to polish. Don't leave your music half-learned!

Vocabulary

ritornello, cantata

Preface	Technique	Music Reading	Treble Strings
Accidentals	Bass Strings	Solos	Ensembles