Originally a work for strings, vocalists, and continuo, this arrangement is an excerpt from the cantata BWV 147. This movement is commonly known as the English translation of the first line of German text “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
Technique: The three parts in this arrangement take turns playing a perpetual-motion theme. Players work on slurring, trills, and right hand preparation/extension timing. Commonly used in arpeggio technique, preparation/extension timing involves placing right hand fingers on adjacent strings in anticipation of upcoming notes. Brackets point out where this kind of preparation is appropriate. Notice that the brackets only cover notes that move from lower to higher strings. These notes may be prepared as a group, whereas notes that move from higher to lower strings use a different kind of sequential preparation.
Ex. 1 Gtr. 1 mm. 4-7, Brackets mark appropriate places for right hand preparation/extension timing
Trills: Practice trills as a ensemble. You may vary the length of the trill as desired, but a short trill will be easiest to coordinate.
Ex. 2 A short trill. (notes are slurred by left hand fingers)