Bach for Bass

[jaykay]

Hey All, attached are two transcriptions of Bach's Inventions in Am and Dm. Thought someone may be able to use them for learning and practice. Hope they're useful...if so, please post your comments here!! Cheers.

jk

[Russell L]

Thanks, I'll have to print them out. One thing's for sure Bach is relentless with those eternal eight-note passages. I remember every time I played the Hallelujah Chorus how my bowing hand would crap up. "Forever, and ever..." Not just me, either, but several of us in the bass section of the symphony have been seen holding our bows like swords, sawing away. It takes stamina. But what I like most about playing Bach is that the lines and harmonies are so predictable and logical--oh, except for some surprises, of course. That fact makes it feel good to play, as if some hunger is being satisfied.

Haven't played the ole upright in years, but it would be fun to work these up on electric.

[Neon Scribe]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Thanks, I'll have to print them out. One thing's for sure Bach is relentless with those eternal eight-note passages. I remember every time I played the Hallelujah Chorus how my bowing hand would crap up. "Forever, and ever..." Not just me, either, but several of us in the bass section of the symphony have been seen holding our bows like swords, sawing away. It takes stamina. But what I like most about playing Bach is that the lines and harmonies are so predictable and logical--oh, except for some surprises, of course. That fact makes it feel good to play, as if some hunger is being satisfied.

Haven't played the ole upright in years, but it would be fun to work these up on electric.

Yes, except that the Hallelujah Chorus is from "The Messiah" by George Frideric Handel, not Bach. Both from the Baroque Era, however.

[jaykay]

Yup, seems those Baroque guys typically had straight eight or sixteen patterns. Slowed down it's almost like a jazz walking bass line. I use the pieces as a warm up, to increase strength and find new positions (riffs) that I can use in my everyday rock/pop styles. They're a challenge to say the least, especially played against a 4/4 rock drum pattern.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Neon Scribe

Yes, except that the Hallelujah Chorus is from "The Messiah" by George Frideric Handel, not Bach. Both from the Baroque Era, however.

OMG, I can't believe I did that, LOL. Yep. Not thinking, dat's all. (As many times as I've played Handel and Bach, goo grief).