On the last day of March, I recall the six BACH organ concerts I attended this month. It’s a wonderful annual tradition to celebrate the work of Johann Sebastian Bach on his birthday. JS Bach not only composed and performed, also actively transcribed and arranged. And then there are works inspired by him — that others composed, arranged, transcribed, and performed. In that vein, I spent my day writing “B-A-C-H in a Waltz” for the ukulele.
In an earlier blog post, I mentioned the notes in his surname that spell the four notes B flat, A, C, and B (natural). I followed my mash-up of his name and his most famous minuet with another blog post about harmonizing these four notes and why the ukulele is well-suited for such a work.
In my new work “B-A-C-H in a Waltz” I put together the three elements I have been noodling of late: chromatic scale fragments, waltz, and the B-A-C-H riff.
The piece can be played as a solo and a duet. As a solo piece, it’s possible to embed the waltz-like accompaniment, similar to “Waltz for Chief Noda.”
Organists celebrate Bach’s 340th birthday in March each year because his birthday falls some time between the 21st and the 31st of 2025. Actually, his exact birth date depends on which calendar you use! (Read about it HERE.)
I learned a lot from attending these concerts and looking for work I can play as prelude or postlude in the church services I play. I learned how little I know of his massive output. Only some thousand pieces survive.
Pick! Pluck! Play!
“B-A-C-H in a Waltz” is one of the 12 pieces I’m writing for Level 2 of the new book “Pick! Pluck! Play! Fingerstyle Ukulele.”
The last page “Ukulele Chords” of the new book contains a table of ukulele chord diagrams ordered alphabetically for the chords used in the book.
I’m thrilled about releasing these two books as a precursors (prerequisite) to the 12 Chinese Zodiac Suite, which contains three skill levels.
I am recording all my new compositions in the 100 Days of Ukulele 2025 project. To me, this challenge means uploading a new video recording of a new piece each consecutive day from 1st March to 8th June 2025.
For other recent compositions and arrangements by Anne Ku, please visit the Daily Music Writing Project or scroll through the consecutive blog posts.
