classical music practice

EGhart317 · #1 10-11-2010, 02:26 PM

Hey guys I picked up La Boheme today at my university's library to see if I can apply some of the music in there to my own playing. Anybody else play classical music to practice? If so what are some cool pieces to check out?

Fergie Fulton · #2 10-11-2010, 02:36 PM

So much stuff to use, but try Bach he works great on bass and guitars.....great for fingering studies.

BananaKing · #3 10-11-2010, 02:37 PM

I arrange Classical Music (Guitar and Piano) for solo bass and then I learn to play them.

For solo practice, Bach is always good, but try to see if you can pick up some Classical Guitar studies to learn to transcribe and play. They're great.

EGhart317 · #4 10-11-2010, 02:38 PM

thanks for the tip man. and I agree it's a bit overwhelming walking into that library where there is so incredibly much to learn.

Fergie Fulton · #5 10-12-2010, 02:40 AM

Because there is so much the pressure is off to learn it all LOL.
Pick out pieces that will increase you knowledge and skills in a way that allows to to build on each thing you learn. Look for Etudes by the great composers, these musical studies are invaluable in both reading, transposing and technical skills.

Rudreax · #6 10-17-2010, 09:00 AM

Learning classical music is fine, but PLEASE if you're going to do it follow the markings of the composer (dynamics, timing, ornaments, etc.). You'll get a LOT more out of playing such pieces if you follow the markings on the piece, as opposed to just playing the notes.

champbassist · #7 10-17-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudreax

Learning classical music is fine, but PLEASE if you're going to do it follow the markings of the composer (dynamics, timing, ornaments, etc.). You'll get a LOT more out of playing such pieces if you follow the markings on the piece, as opposed to just playing the notes.

Nice point there. A related question, if I may ask: are there any recommended tempi for Bach's preludes? The problem is there are no tempo markings in the preludes.

**Mark Wilson** · #8 10-17-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

Nice point there. A related question, if I may ask: are there any recommended tempi for Bach's preludes? The problem is there are no tempo markings in the preludes.

IS that a problem?
It's like that one purpose. There aren't any dynamic markings either IIRC. Lets you internalize the song and make it your own.

One Bad Monkey · #9 10-17-2010, 10:35 AM

Bach is good, specifically the Cello Suites (there are a lot of versions available to listen to and be inspired by).

I started as a classical double bassist, so I still practice a lot of the classical bass repertoire; Dragonetti, Bottesini, the etudes by Storch-Hrabe, etc.. Lots of really good fundamental things.

And a +1 to following the dynamic markings and others (if they're provided) on classical music. Knowing what said markings and things mean too is helpful.

Skitch it! · #10 10-17-2010, 10:45 AM

Bach definitely, Cello Suite 1 is something I still love to use as a string crossing practice as well as right hand picking technique, I use the thumb index and mid for it, clean good flow I've found with that config. Debussy's Dr. Gradus Ad Parnasum as per Stu Hamm's version, only picked with the same configuration as above, much cleaner, easier flow. I give my student's Suite No 1 as a practice piece, they all dig it, it's a great exercise in standard tuning, some awkward fingerings in there.

Cliff Engel has a good transcription in notation of Suite 1 on his site for free, he play's it in cello tuning though, so careful with the tab ; )

**colcifer** · #11 10-17-2010, 10:56 AM

The Dotzauer books are great. I have my students read from them.

champbassist · #12 10-17-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

IS that a problem?

Not at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

It's like that one purpose. There aren't any dynamic markings either IIRC. Lets you internalize the song and make it your own.

Even so, I just wanted the piece I play to be correct in that I play it at the approximate tempo the composer meant it to be played at. If the composer wanted me to play the piece and to not care about the tempo, even better

I'm going to play these preludes larghissimo

I was actually wondering (after watching veterans play these prelude on YT videos) if preludes have an approximate standard tempo as some other compositional forms have.