#CHACONNECHALLENGE VIOLIN WITH DR.

LYNN

WELCOME TO THE
#CHACONNECHALLENGE
I hope you’re excited!

Rest assured, even if you're a novice violinist or violist, or you've

already studied Bach’s Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV
1004, this 3-Day Challenge will be a fun and motivating way to
bolster up your technique, musicality, and understanding of this
monumental work for solo violin.

Together, we will go deep into the Chaconne to unlock its mysteries.

By the end of the #ChaconneChallenge, you will:

● Learn how to master the double-stops

● Learn strategies on how to play the chords
● Learn tricks to aid memorization and musical understanding of the
Chaconne
● Learn how to better interpret the Chaconne musically

Are you ready?

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FIRST THINGS FIRST…

Set your own personal goals for this
Challenge.
If you’ve taken my previous Paganini 5 Challenge, you know that no
matter what skill level you’re at, all can benefit from participating in
this challenge.

And I always make things fun!

The Bach Chaconne is definitely an advanced and mature repertoire,

however since the Chaconne merits a lifetime of study, why not start
now? 😃
I hope you will choose an inspiring and manageable goal during this
Challenge.

Let’s aim to expand your technique, knowledge, and musical

understanding of Bach’s Chaconne by just 5%.

Any amount of progress you make during this Challenge will be

considered a success!

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“Compare not to others. Only compare to yesterday’s version of yourself.

Remember to take inspiration from others around you.

If you haven’t done so already, please join my private group:

Dr. Lynn's Practice Ninjas,

where you can gain encouragement and inspiration from others in

the group.

Plus, you’ll get a chance to win prizes and a chance to get live
feedback from me!

Let's make it our goal to improve ourselves and not to compare.

We are all of different skill levels, training, and backgrounds and our
collective strength will come from our diversity.

I hope you will let this help you grow during the Challenge.

As you work through this guide, please feel free to use the blank
spaces to make notes of your progress and discoveries along the
way.

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#ChaconneChallenge
Table of Contents
THE RHYTHM OF THE DANCE 5
MASTERING MUSICALITY & MEMORIZATION 6
THE BASSLINE RULES 6
THE DETAILS ARE IN THE STRUCTURE 8
HOMEWORK 8
CHORDS AND DOUBLE STOPS 9
LEFT-HAND TECHNIQUE 9
BOW TECHNIQUE 10
BACH CHACONNE Preparatory Exercises 11
#CHACONNECHALLENGE WRAP UP 12
ADDITIONAL NOTES 14
ABOUT ME: DR. LYNN KUO 15
BACH CHACONNE - Score (Bärenreiter edition) 16

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#CHACONNECHALLENGE VIOLIN WITH DR. LYNN

THE RHYTHM OF THE DANCE

● Notate the Chaconne rhythm below:

● Which beat gets the strongest weight?

● Which beat gets the lightest weight?

● In your score, trace and identify the underlying (or implied)

ciaconna rhythm in as many variations as you can.

○ Which variations feature the ciaconna rhythm more

prominently?

○ Which variations are more subtle (or non-existent)?

Musicality tip:

● How does identifying the ciaconna rhythm influence how

you phrase the notes?

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MASTERING MUSICALITY &

MEMORIZATION
THE BASSLINE RULES
● How long is the theme/bass line?

● What are the notes of the bass line/theme?

● What variations (note additions or alterations) can you find?

e.g. How does the bass line in mm. 1-56 differs from the bass
line in mm. 56-89?

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● Can you identify the alterations the theme goes through

throughout the piece?

● Why is it important to know the bass line and harmony?

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THE DETAILS ARE IN THE STRUCTURE

● How many times and where exactly does the theme appear in
the Chaconne?

● How many variations are there?

HOMEWORK
● Go through the Chaconne (or several variations of your choice)
and circle the notes of the theme/bass line.

● Are the notes of the theme in the bass, tenor, alto, or soprano
lines?

● Musicality Tip:
○ Does identifying the theme/bass line influence the way you
pace, shape, and phrase each variation?

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CHORDS AND DOUBLE STOPS

LEFT-HAND TECHNIQUE
● What are the double-stop exercises that you can practice to
improve your left-hand technique in the Chaconne? (Please
consult the handout: Bach Chaconne Preparatory Exercises.)
○

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BOW TECHNIQUE
● What are some bow strategies you can use to master the
chords?
○

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BACH CHACONNE Preparatory Exercises

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#CHACONNECHALLENGE
WRAP UP
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the
#ChaconneChallenge!

● What are your top takeaways from this challenge?

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● What improvements did you see in your playing, understanding,

or interpretation of the Chaconne after taking this challenge?

● After taking the #ChaconneChallenge, what do you wish to

continue exploring in your playing? (i.e.,what are some next
steps to improve either your interpretation or technique of this
Chaconne or any other movement of solo Bach?)

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ADDITIONAL NOTES

I hope you enjoyed the #ChaconneChallenge!

To get personalized coaching from me, please contact me at
lynn@lynnkuo.com to find out how you can work with me inside my
Private Lesson Packages or in my upcoming Violin Bootcamp!.

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ABOUT ME: DR. LYNN KUO

I’m Lynn Kuo, Founder/CEO of Violin with Dr. Lynn and Assistant
Concertmaster of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra for the last
20+ years.

I coach motivated violinists all over the world who want to master
their instrument and become more fearless performers.

I hope you enjoyed this #ChaconneChallenge and will take the

concepts we worked on into the rest of your repertoire!

Nothing makes me happier than to help you transform your musical

and technical challenges into greater confidence on stage!

For more about me and to access my free

resources, please visit:
www.lynnkuo.com
www.violinwithdrlynn.com

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BACH CHACONNE - Score (Bärenreiter edition)

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