Sleepers Awake/Bach-guitar

thetiler

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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.

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Song Stats

Hits: 4941
Comments: 35
Fans: 10
Plays: 1305
Downloads: 202
Votes: 30
Uploaded: Mar 28, 2006 - 07:44:58 AM
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2006 - 02:15:18 AM Last Played: Nov 20, 2009 - 07:49:08 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

solo guitar (14), classical (456), acoustical guitar (22), fingerstyle guitarist (2), solo instrumental (2), soloist (90), ()

Hardware:

2mics, pre amp

Software:

GB2

Comments

kristyjo

kristyjo said 1341 days ago (March 28th, 2006)

back 20 years ago
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.

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

thetiler

thetiler said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)

back 20 years ago
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

bronco	bronco said 1341 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Fantastic!! 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! Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling

thetiler

thetiler said 1338 days ago (March 31st, 2006)

Fantastic!!
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

RickW	RickW said 1341 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Love the picture 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 Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

drakonis	drakonis said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Watch Out - Push Bach Furner and Furner 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 Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

MarkOla	MarkOla said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Mine ears are happy 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. Check out my latest song called Chief Joseph

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Fantastic 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! Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

thetiler	thetiler said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Fantastic 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)

So...you do this...
...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

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

thetiler

thetiler said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)

So...you do this...
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

notsosweet	notsosweet said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Bach! 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. Check out my latest song called The Broken Doll's Waltz

thetiler	thetiler said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Bach! Thanks notso, I treasure your posts! --- You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

Leon	Leon said 1340 days ago (March 28th, 2006)
	Tilerian indeed! 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!) Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

ziti

ziti said 1340 days ago (March 29th, 2006)

hooooray furner
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!!!

Check out my latest song called All Smokey

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1340 days ago (March 29th, 2006)
	Miracle Sound in which Europe of the Middle Ages is associated. The performance technology flies up sky-high. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 1339 days ago (March 29th, 2006)

wonderful playing
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

Check out my latest song called Good Morning

thetiler	thetiler said 1339 days ago (March 30th, 2006)
	wonderful playing 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

jpfeiff	jpfeiff said 1339 days ago (March 29th, 2006)
	Beautiful--thanks 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!! Check out my latest song called The Fog

thetiler

thetiler said 1339 days ago (March 30th, 2006)

Beautiful--thanks
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

aclarke	aclarke said 1339 days ago (March 30th, 2006)
	Beyond critique 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! Check out my latest song called Ballad of The Little Tiki

thetiler

thetiler said 1339 days ago (March 30th, 2006)

Beyond critique
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

	said 1338 days ago (March 31st, 2006)
	mmmmm...Bach! Nicely played. Bless your obedient fingers, sir. This is impressive. I always look forward to new contributions from thetiler. Give my regards to Betsy!

thetiler	thetiler said 1336 days ago (April 1st, 2006)
	mmmmm...Bach! 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

ktb	ktb said 1335 days ago (April 2nd, 2006)
	added to fav's 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 Check out my latest song called Texas stump

thetiler

thetiler said 1335 days ago (April 2nd, 2006)

added to fav's
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.

Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

futzpucker	futzpucker said 1335 days ago (April 2nd, 2006)
	Wonderful touch 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. Check out my latest song called Just As It Is

thetiler	thetiler said 1335 days ago (April 2nd, 2006)
	Wonderful touch Thanks futz! --- You can use my name" Bill Furner", for the search in Itunes Store to find my album. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

composerclark

composerclark said 1300 days ago (May 7th, 2006)

Peace.
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.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

thetiler	thetiler said 1293 days ago (May 14th, 2006)
	Peace. 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

composerclark	composerclark said 1292 days ago (May 16th, 2006)
	Peace. 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>. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

thetiler	thetiler said 1290 days ago (May 17th, 2006)
	Peace. 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

Morris R	Morris R said 1250 days ago (June 27th, 2006)
	Bach 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.

thetiler	thetiler said 1243 days ago (July 3rd, 2006)
	Bach 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. Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

Enrique Gil

Enrique Gil said 1165 days ago (September 20th, 2006)

Bach Rocks!
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

Check out my latest song called Simple Feelings

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