Some Bach Solo Violin Music on Fretless

Anti-Product · #1 02-04-2011, 06:08 PM

Hey all,

I just recorded two movements from Bach's Partita #2 in D Minor for Solo Violin on my fretless electric bass, I would really appreciate any feedback, criticism, comments, etc!

I - Allemanda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUvmQHXFGtw

II - Corrante:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yq1ekxSZ5s

Thanks for feedback,
Alex

john m · #2 02-04-2011, 06:13 PM

Nice playing.

I'd suggest warming up you tone by rolling off
a bit of the highs.

Slow the tempo down a bit.

Keep your thumb behind the neck in the lower positions as you do when you move up the neck.

Keep up the good work.

So Low Bass · #3 02-05-2011, 05:41 PM

I agree with John m. This stuff is HARD!... hard to hear, hard to play. Some Bach harmonies are just as "out there" as Charlie Parker. This is the kind of material you'll woodshed, put down for years and return to, perhaps several times in your life. It's worth it!!

Are you a music major? If so, what is your major instrument? My wife graduated from Oberlin and still loves it 30 yrs. later. Thanks for the post.

Anti-Product · #4 02-06-2011, 08:53 AM

I'm actually a Neuroscience major in the college, but I play oboe pretty seriously, taking lessons and stuff there. Also, bass, of course, and I'm kind of dabbling with learning acoustic bass as well there. It's a really wonderful place, in fact I'm going back there today for the spring semester and I'm excited.

Thanks for the comments, I'll keep them in mind as I keep working on it!

Anti-Product · #5 02-09-2011, 06:39 PM

Bump for comments!

joe vegas · #6 03-10-2011, 04:48 PM

great work!
yes, bach is a supreme taskmaster, but he rewards us endlessly.
one suggestion, as seen in the other comments- build in some dynamics (a key component of all the great bach solo-literature interpretations), and some rubato moments, particularly on the end of summational phrases.
it would be very interesting to hear the development of these again in, say, 2 months or so. keep up the fine work!

**colcifer** · #7 03-10-2011, 10:08 PM

Try posting on the other side.

IconBasser · #8 03-13-2011, 11:18 PM

sounded pretty good. Might sound better on a fretted though.

Anti-Product · #9 03-18-2011, 03:21 PM

Thanks for comments! IconBasser, how do you mean exactly? Intonation-wise, or tone-wise, or something else I haven't thought of? I'll definitely consider posting them again as I continue to work on them (and with my other bass I have at school).