Andante Mac users should download the file to their printer with their printer utility. PC users should download this file and send it to a printer with the DOS command - copy/b bach.bin lpt1: (this is the DOS command you would use if you are already in the directory the file is in andyour printer is on port 1).

This andante is from the "Sonata #2 for unaccompanied violin" by JS Bach. I arranged this for Stick, with the two melodic lines separated by an octave. The solo violinist would handle these two lines at the same time, so naturally a Stick player should have no trouble playing them! My favorite recording of this piece was made by Henryk Szeryng for Columbia in 1954.

I use this as a sight reading exercise. It isn't that difficult for the intermediate reader to handle because there are only two lines going on at once. The bass line is not very comlplicated (though very effective) allowing your eyeballs to focus on the melodic line.

This piece is a fine example of JS Bach's genius for melodic invention. The more I play it, the more subtilties I notice.

The music should be played slowly, almost at an adagio tempo. The tempo should not be faster than 72 bpm (eighth notes). Also, play the whole piece an octave lower than written.

This arrangement is © 1997 Ray Ashley, you may download it for your own personal use, all other use or reproduction is prohibited without my permission.

(For more of Ray Ashley's music go to his web site.)