classical compositions for bass guitar?

[The Ethanator]

i wasnt sure exactly which forum to place this under, but i figured id start here. i am majoring in instrumental performance and music composition at a university, and also play bass on the side, more or less. considering that i already have one instrument to master (french horn) and classical pieces to write to earn a degree, i feel as though my bass chops have been going to waste lately. so, for my jury next semester, i plan to write a collection of short classical pieces for unaccompanied bass guitar. i have a 4- and a 6-string, and plan on writing these pieces for the 6. im aware that there are many pieces written for solo bowed stringed instruments such as the double bass and cello, but it seems the only classical songs i can find for bass guitar are transcriptions of songs written for other instruments. what id like to know are the opinions of other bassists on the technique that would work the best for pieces like this? regular fingerstyle, or a more cupped band shape similar to that of classical guitarists? does anyone know of any modern composers who have written for bass guitar? any other knowledge or input on the topic would be greatly appreciated, and ill show off in a few weeks when im done

[Mayers]

Saddly bass guitar isn.'t an classical instrument, it is more of an instrument anybody can take and within few months they play in a rock band.

The only composer I can think of is John Patitucci. Look for his solo CDs. He plays both BG and DB and compose a lot of stuff that I think is truly amazing.

[The Ethanator]

right, the bass guitar isnt specifically suited for classical music, but as a composer i feel that the 2 extra strings and the low range of the instrument open up a door for a different style than the double bass or the classical acoustic guitar. im writing a piece for percussion ensemble that features the bass guitar, but id like to move more in the direction of combining my existing style, which is heavily influenced by metal bands such as necrophagist, blotted science, and animals as leaders, with a classical/romantic soloistic approach to song structure

[Mayers]

Originally Posted by The Ethanator

right, the bass guitar isnt specifically suited for classical music, but as a composer i feel that the 2 extra strings and the low range of the instrument open up a door for a different style than the double bass or the classical acoustic guitar. im writing a piece for percussion ensemble that features the bass guitar, but id like to move more in the direction of combining my existing style, which is heavily influenced by metal bands such as necrophagist, blotted science, and animals as leaders, with a classical/romantic soloistic approach to song structure

John is one of the few that took the 6 strings bass very soon and make it is voice. I think you would like his solo CDs like "Line By Line". Some classical music that he writtes featuring his 6 strings as the main solo instrument.

Also the exemple you provided, I like them too, but they represent maybe 3% of the BG world. Too virtuosic ( if that a word ) for many people who only groove and do cover gig witch represent the vast majority of bass player.

[theretheyare]

The point is to look upon a bass guitar as upon any other instrument, a tool to make music with, any music, and forget about other people's limited viewpoints about what a bass "should" be.

Before Coleman Hawkins brought the tenor sax to the forefront, nobody thought of the tenor sax as a jazz instrument.

A bass guitar is exactly as classical as you want it to be, and here is your chance to make it into that. (And by the way, playing a Beethoven sonata on a bass guitar is not classical music.)

So the key is to conceptualize what you want to do. Ask yourself questions. What does that mean to you, classical music? What do you want to express, playing by yourself?

There is nowadays a huge literature, available online as streaming content, of solo classical pieces for all kinds of instruments, especially in the modern vein, and that is where I would look for inspiration.

For older music, there all the Bach solo sonatas, for amongst others cello and viola da gamba.

As for newer material, Berio's Sequenza's are amazing examples of what one can do with one given instrument, regardless of its supposed "function".

I have been working the same idea, and I found a lot of inspiration in music for cello, bassoon, and piano.

Listen with an open mind, and you should be doing great

[Russell L]

You best consult with your advisor before proceeding in case anything composed for bass guitar (especially by you) would not be accepted for jury examination.

One thing about bass guitar is that it is fairly impossible to mimick what a double bass can do when played arco (I occaisionally do a sort of "drum roll" using two fingers). Vibrato is also difficult to produce on bass guitar.

[john grey]

J.S. Bach:
Prelude in C Major
Suite in G Major
Sonata in G Minor

Simply gorgeous and one of the best training aids I had come across. BOTH in fret-less & fretted -

I have heard of someone playing Handel on Electric Bass; the guy lives in Amsterdam & may have a uTube video.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by Mayers

The only composer I can think of is John Patitucci. Look for his solo CDs. He plays both BG and DB and compose a lot of stuff that I think is truly amazing.

Get Patitucci's "60 Melodic Etudes". While not classical music as such, they are quite presentable as solo pieces.

[Mayers]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Get Patitucci's "60 Melodic Etudes". While not classical music as such, they are quite presentable as solo pieces.

I have it !

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by The Ethanator

i wasnt sure exactly which forum to place this under, but i figured id start here. i am majoring in instrumental performance and music composition at a university, and also play bass on the side, more or less. considering that i already have one instrument to master (french horn) and classical pieces to write to earn a degree, i feel as though my bass chops have been going to waste lately. so, for my jury next semester, i plan to write a collection of short classical pieces for unaccompanied bass guitar. i have a 4- and a 6-string, and plan on writing these pieces for the 6. im aware that there are many pieces written for solo bowed stringed instruments such as the double bass and cello, but it seems the only classical songs i can find for bass guitar are transcriptions of songs written for other instruments. what id like to know are the opinions of other bassists on the technique that would work the best for pieces like this? regular fingerstyle, or a more cupped band shape similar to that of classical guitarists? does anyone know of any modern composers who have written for bass guitar? any other knowledge or input on the topic would be greatly appreciated, and ill show off in a few weeks when im done

You have access to the same 12 notes as all the greats, so make it musical and you won't go far wrong,.

[Sav'nBass]

Stu Hamm "Moonlight Sonata"

[Cbassist]

Look up BassGK on youtube. He does a lot of classical pieces. You won't be disappointed

[Buxtehude]

Originally Posted by Sav'nBass

Stu Hamm "Moonlight Sonata"

+ Dr Gradus ad Parnassum (Debussy) arranged by Hamm

[NightTripper]

Victor Wooten has a piece called "Classical Thump" which I think is based on a classical composition. It's worth checking out. The Flecktones also do a cover of a Bach fugue on their album The Hidden Land, it isn't a solo piece but Wooten pretty much does what the harpsichord would do. Might give some inspiration. Good luck!

[Hamlet7768]

Originally Posted by Cbassist

Look up BassGK on youtube. He does a lot of classical pieces. You won't be disappointed

Kosinski is amazing. His To Live is to Die cover is perfect.