JS Bach Aria From Goldberg Variations BMW 988
Guitar Techniques|December 2017

Returning once again to the master, Bridget Mermikides explores a beautiful Aria written for harpsichord and featuring a heavily-ornamented melody over a bassline voice.

Bridget Mermikides
JS Bach Aria From Goldberg Variations BMW 988

This month we return to a work by the timeless genius Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), a composer whose technical and expressive mastery continues to awe and inspire countless musicians in many styles. It’s nearly impossible to overstate Bach’s contribution to Western music, nor the technical achievement and profound beauty in his output of over 1,000 works. It’s an enduring legacy, which some argue represents one of the pinnacles of artistic achievement; so much so that when it was suggested that some of his music be included in the Voyager space probe as proof of human intelligence to extra terrestrial beings who might find it, a NASA staff member objected as “it would just be showing off”.

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GUITAR TECHNIQUESView All
THE MOODY BLUES
Guitar Techniques

THE MOODY BLUES

This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
WAYNE KRANTZ
Guitar Techniques

WAYNE KRANTZ

This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
OPEN G TUNING
Guitar Techniques

OPEN G TUNING

Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Guitar Techniques

RODRIGO GOUVEIA

Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
MARK KNOPFLER
Guitar Techniques

MARK KNOPFLER

Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
U2
Guitar Techniques

U2

Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
LUTHER ALLISON
Guitar Techniques

LUTHER ALLISON

It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
Guitar Techniques

JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio

This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
Guitar Techniques

THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau

John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
Guitar Techniques

VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern

This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024