How to Play Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring on the Violin

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is a famous cantata by German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The piece consists almost entirely of three-note groupings that repeat themselves enough to make the piece very easy to play and memorize. Since most of the music is in first position, there is minimal need to shift. This piece is very easy for a beginner to perform.

Overview of Practicing

Whether playing a difficult or easy piece of music, practicing music for a performance should be commenced with one main objective in mind, to learn the piece well enough so that it can be played with ease during a performance. This being said, it is good to start with the end in mind. Specifically, start your practicing by playing the piece the way that you want it to sound during the performance. This means that you want to practice with proper intonation, instrument and bow positions and musical technique.

Instrument and Bow Positioning

Correct positioning is something that tends develop over time. Your teacher can assist you gaining a better bow and instrument position. You may also want to look at professional violinists as they perform observing their bow hand, in particular, since how the bow is used largely determines the sound created on the instrument. Regardless of what type of bow position or instrument position you use, always remember that if it hurts or does not feel right, don't do it. Excess tension in the arms and hands is easy to develop when playing the violin. It not only can make it difficult to play but if the tension is constant it can lead to tendonitis.

Proper Intonation

After taking lessons for a few weeks or months you may already start to get an idea of intonation. Still when learning a new piece of music it is good to hear how it sounds when played by a professional artist or ensemble. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is very popular, especially on classical albums of sacred or Christmas music. It is also on albums of crossover artists like Josh Groban. To practice getting proper intonation, play a scale in the same piece of Jesu, namely G major. This helps to prepare your fingers and ear for the piece about to be played by presenting the notes in a simple exercise.

Musical Technique

Musical technique is something that comes from performing other exercises that help you play the piece. Along with scales, they are helpful guides in learning pieces of music. The following are techniques that can aid in learning to play Jesu on the violin.

Shifting Exercises

There is only one place in the work where shifting is required. It is during the change after the main theme has been played through twice. The shift is from third finger A to first finger A on the E string and is necessary in order to reach the C that quickly comes after the first finger A. Practice this shift by moving your index finger from first finger F sharp on the E string to first finger A on the same string. Then shift down. The pattern is therefore, F sharp-A, A-F sharp. Do this slowly ten times.

Slow Practicing

Even for a professional or advanced student slow practicing is always a good idea as it helps you better remember music and to learn it faster. Start at about 50 beats per minute. For each beat you play one three-note grouping. Gradually increase the metronome speed as you get more comfortable with the music to get to the desired final speed. It may be helpful to play at 50 beats/min for the first two days of practicing then increase the speed to 60 beats the next day, 70 or 80 the next day and so on until you get to the desired speed. How much time you have to actually practice the piece and how advanced you are will dictate how much you should practice. For professionals, very little to no practicing may be required. Chances are you have played the piece many times before since it is very famous. For beginning students it may be best to start with the slow practicing in the manner described above or as prescribed by your teacher.

Add Dynamics

As you get the piece up to performance speed start thinking about dynamics. This, along with the tempo you choose, is where your interpretation of Jesu will be expressed. If you are playing in a large ensemble the interpretation will most likely be in the hands of the conductor. But if you are playing solo with or without accompaniment, it is in your hands. In this case, feel free to add whatever dynamics you wish. Baroque music tended to be rather straightforward and predictable when it comes to dynamics. Get as loud or soft as you like without losing the overall beauty of the music.