Exam Pieces

Mike11121 · #1 08-04-2011, 09:22 PM

Hi Guys,

My son (15 years old) has been told that he is required to record and submit a bass solo piece for his year 10 music exam at school. His music teacher (not a bassist) has suggested 2 pieces that he might choose:

Bach's Cello Suite Number 3
Jaco's Portrait of Tracy

Man! He's about to discover that his old man is a hack rock bassist I think. I'm pretty sure that both of these would be out of my reach without SERIOUS practice time, and even then it's many years since I was adventurous enough to attempt them.

But it's about him, not me. At this stage he's leaning toward Jaco, but neither of them really ring his bells in terms of musical style (he's 15, and really more a rock guy). There may not be much in the rock genre to compare with these, but I'd welcome your ideas on any other pieces that you can suggest at the same sort of level that might give him a wider selection to choose from.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Mike

BassInUrFace · #2 08-25-2011, 08:30 PM

Stu Hamm - YouTube

MalcolmAmos · #3 08-26-2011, 06:59 AM

Depending on how annal the instructor is. I'd stick with one of the two options mentioned until I got to know the instructor better.

Sebek-Ra89 · #4 08-27-2011, 04:36 PM

I personally would find the cello suite to be a lot more fun but also a lot more work. Portait of Tracy is transcribed in three pages and lasts about four minutes, The cello suite is notated in six minutes and lasts nearly eleven minutes.

Cello Suite- http://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/...00-BWV1009.pdf

Portait of Tracy- Transcription of "Portrait of Tracy"