Bach and classical music

Tobby · #1 07-29-2007, 06:16 AM

I have read in several interviews that many bassplayers use classical music to improve techniques and learn patterns. Johann Sebastian Bach is quite often mentioned in this interviews. Anyone out there who has any experience on the subject? Are there any specific pieces of Bach`s music I should practice to?

Aged_Clayman · #2 07-29-2007, 06:27 AM

Try Bach`s Bouree, it`s quite melodic and satisfying to play. And, btw, it`s there is a Jethro Tull cover of this piece.

Tobby · #3 07-29-2007, 07:04 AM

Thank`s man , but as a long-time Tull-fan I already knew that piece

I agree that it`s a good melody/tune to practice with.

mr.hughes · #4 07-29-2007, 07:16 AM

Have a look here:

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/sh...&cat=CLASSICAL

I have this one:

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=303

Pretty good for opening up your hands and ears.

Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 - I. Prelude is always a good place to start, simply because you'll probably know the tune which makes reading all those sixteenths a whole lot easier.

Swift713 · #5 07-29-2007, 07:21 AM

The Cello Suites work nicely on a five string, or a 4 string with a good upper range, or you can transpose them.

PatTheAnchor · #6 07-29-2007, 07:32 AM

Try reading David Popper etudes... you'll love them!!!

They're all patterns, try getting this book; pretty expensive, but the patterns are a pain in the ass.

http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=3042+114&Cat=
Might not work because of some double-stops, but try it anyway. It helps you recognize patterns and work your fingers into patterns. (at least for cello anyway.)

If you're going to try to play a Bach Suite, get a CD of the classical version (If you want to try and create a classical sound).

Another fun piece to play are the Bartok Roumanian Folk Dances Sz. 68. Never played it, but it sounds fun.

Just my input on classical music on bass.

Tobby · #7 07-29-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

The Cello Suites work nicely on a five string, or a 4 string with a good upper range, or you can transpose them.

Sounds interesting. I`ll check it out.
And Mr. Hughes, the J.S. Bach for electric bass will be bought as soon as I can afford it (pretty broke at the moment)

Thanks alot to all of you for helping me out

jaebee · #8 07-29-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

The Cello Suites work nicely on a five string, or a 4 string with a good upper range, or you can transpose them.

playing them in bottom position sounds so much sweeter tho.

try cello suite 1 prelude and cello suite 2 prelude for starters.
they use a lot of arpeggio shapes and scalar movement. if you also learn the theory behind them they are really good to improve yourself as a player (take a while to learn as they are fairly long and dont repeat anything for the most part)

plus they sound so much better (imo) in the lower octave range, a 4 string is perfectly fine for playing, perhaps better as some of it really gives your hand a stretch

justin

jady · #9 07-29-2007, 08:41 PM

The thing about the solo cello suites is that without chordal accompaniment the seemingly endless runs of 1/16th notes actually goes through a bunch of chord changes and modulations. When I had to learn these in college before I even started to play them my instructor had me chart out the harmony to understand where the chord progressions start and end. This will allow you to understand where the phrasing goes in all those 1/16th note runs. They are fun pieces, go for it!!!!

**Mark Wilson** · #10 07-29-2007, 10:25 PM

Jaco said himself that Bach was the greatest bassist who has ever lived.

I second Jaco's comment!

tkozal · #11 07-30-2007, 07:29 AM

http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

much free classical sheet music

I have been working through sections of Bach's Partita Number 2 for solo violin, getting ready to tackle the Chaconne....(much easier on my 5 string strung E-C)

although my need to play along with Coplands Appalachian Spring, and figure out all the modulations...is still there ...it is big fun..

4lPh4n0m3g4 · #12 07-30-2007, 07:49 AM

Just for clarification, J.S. Bach was a Baroque composer, not Classical. There is a distinction between, Classical, Baroque, and Romantic period compositions/composers.

...And I agree Bach was awesome.

tkozal · #13 07-30-2007, 08:47 AM

and your point is...?

dlloyd · #14 07-30-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4lPh4n0m3g4

Just for clarification, J.S. Bach was a Baroque composer, not Classical. There is a distinction between, Classical, Baroque, and Romantic period compositions/composers.

...And I agree Bach was awesome.

Classical is used in two senses wrt European music.

1: High art music as opposed to folk/popular music
2: Music of a specific period and style.

It's fine to describe Bach as a classical composer, even if he was from the Baroque period.

DocBop · #15 07-30-2007, 09:41 AM

One nice thing about classical music is being most is public domian it is inexpensive. Over in Janek Gwizdala forum on TB a thread a thread about playing Hanon piano exercises to work on technique.

For those who want some easy stuff with accomplement to start with. I recently picked up a book of Franz Simandl's 30 Etudes for String bass with Piano Accompaniment with Andrew Kohn and Gail kusbit, it is distributed by Hal Leonard. Being written for DB they will lay well on BG.

Also if you want to hear a amazing rendition of Bach's Cello suites done on bass (okay DB) Edgar Meyer has a great recording. I know DB probabably isn't what most here listen to, but check out Edgar Meyer he plays classical and some interesting countryish stuff with Bela Fleck his technique is scary good.

elros · #16 07-30-2007, 10:38 AM

Two things:
Dave Grossman's Bach page - he's done a lot of Bach material on the electric bass guitar.
International Music Score Library Project - lots of classical music scores available for download, including most (if not all) J.S. Bach works.

lowphatbass · #17 07-30-2007, 05:06 PM

As a kid I got hold of some full score books of Bach's Brandenberg Conciertos,(sp?). While nothing was comfortably in EADG range from start to finish there was a plethora of bass clef candy in them. It was also fulfilling to pencil in octaves and modify the lines to get them into playable range. Because they were in full score I was able to tie together various parts and follow through large portions of the pieces along with the record and spent some time transcribing my franken-parts onto staff paper. Wish I kept that, would be fun to see now!