Classical Pieces Arranged for Bass

[RandyHoe]

I have owned at least one bass for over ten years now, but during much of that time, playing was not top priority. But in the past year and a half I have finally bucked up and started practicing daily, paying the dues required to get my groove on. And seeking out interesting new exercises and lines to practice has become a hobby of mine.

I have recently acquired a book of classic Bach pieces arranged for bass (published by Hal Leonard, I HIGHLY recommend), and I have cherished every page. Before coming across this book, the idea that someone had decided to put such material together had never crossed my mind. So, my question is, does anyone know any other books or resources where I could get my hands on classical pieces written for bass?

Thank you in advance for your time and response.

[Popps]

If you would like some more Bach, can there ever be too much?, there is a "Mel Bay Presents J.S.Bach for Bass" by Josquin des Pres. It include a cd. Very nice stuff and I believe it is still available.
Enjoy your quest.
Popps

[HaVIC5]

Try your hand at the Franz Simandl 30 etudes for String Bass. It's great because you don't have to make any leaps or adjustments with your reading/playing in order to play them. The first couple etudes are pretty simple, but they get nice and tricky.

If that's too easy for you, buy yourself a copy of the Bach 6 suites for solo cello. The prelude to the first suite is the one that everybody knows, but there are a bunch of other awesome ones. Unless you have a five string, though, you're going to need to make some adjustments, or otherwise, just read the pieces up an octave.

[Rudreax]

What I did was find a Cello Suite book transcribe for trombone. That way, the pieces are already written in a way that fits within our natural range.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Try your hand at the Franz Simandl 30 etudes for String Bass. It's great because you don't have to make any leaps or adjustments with your reading/playing in order to play them. The first couple etudes are pretty simple, but they get nice and tricky.

If that's too easy for you, buy yourself a copy of the Bach 6 suites for solo cello. The prelude to the first suite is the one that everybody knows, but there are a bunch of other awesome ones. Unless you have a five string, though, you're going to need to make some adjustments, or otherwise, just read the pieces up an octave.

What is the exact name of that title by Simandl? I've got the Gradus Ad Parnassum 24 studies for string bass. I'm presently going through the Melodious Etudes for Trombone by Rochut based on the vocalises of Bordogni. My favorite cello suite is III. I've got the string bass edition of that.

[HaVIC5]

Originally Posted by Billnc

What is the exact name of that title by Simandl? I've got the Gradus Ad Parnassum 24 studies for string bass. I'm presently going through the Melodious Etudes for Trombone by Rochut based on the vocalises of Bordogni. My favorite cello suite is III. I've got the string bass edition of that.

Bam, exactly that. http://www.amazon.com/Etudes-String-.../dp/0825829313

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Bam, exactly that. http://www.amazon.com/Etudes-String-.../dp/0825829313

Thanks. I see on the same link they have the Carl Fisher edition of his Modern Method, that one is really hard to read. I much prefer the IMC edition of the book.

[Mad Maestro]

I like Classical Masterpieces for Electric Bass Vol. 1&2 by Mike Cornelison. Each piece is written in standard notation and tab.

[So Low Bass]

These are all excellent suggestions, and your idea of seeking out the "classical" is the way to go. It will lead you away from root, root, root, and embed inversions, passing tones, chromatics, playing in circles, dynamics, and phrasing into your ears that you can apply to "unclassical" music that you play.

Not to "pluck my own bass", but check out some of my arrangements of "classics". Learning by sight/notes is one way, but try copping one on my arangements by ear... they aren't complicated harmonically. That will open other doors for you. Have fun!!

[krafty]

Sorry to bump a zombie thread, but I'd just like to thank everyone who posted input in this one. It was exactly what I was looking for, and I found it with the search without too much trouble.

Thanks again! Looks like I have some books to buy.

[Orangeclawhamme]

You messed up. You were supposed to ask about these books and someone was supposed to tell you to do a search. THAT'S THE TB WAY!!!