Double Bass Bach's cello suits on the double bass

[Pachelbel3]

Hello
Which of Bach's cello suits would you guys say is the easiest to play on the double bass? I tried suit #1 but it seems much more difficult to play on the double bass than it was me on a cello.
transpositions and such are welcome too

 

[mtto]

I love the Ricordi edition edited by Paolo Rizzi.

Wouldn't go so far as to say it is as easy as the original on cello, but for me it took the suites from a virtuoso exercise to something musically closer to the original cello version.

 

[ejnachtrab]

None of it is "easy" for me, but the bouree's from the third suite are often played on the bass, transposed from C down to G.

 

[Jon Stefaniak]

Easy, huh.. as easy as cello? No such thing - it doesn't matter how you transpose it. I don't have any good recommendations... I suppose you can cheat the chords, and play everything down low on the bass.

 

[Silevesq]

I remember working on the bouree from the 3rd suite. Very nice I remember Rinat Ibragimov had some fantastic version of that.

Anyone know how one decide which keys is appropriate. Why M. Ibragimov choose this keys over another one? Is there logic behind or sound...

 

[damonsmith]

I use the cello International Music edition. If you are not planning to perform them all you can just pick and choose various movements. I do a combination of an octave below and at pitch. There is enough for me to work on without transposing them. I see why people who want to do all of them transpose some of them.

 

[Jon Stefaniak]

It might be worth pointing out that the challenges you would face playing one of suites up high would be very different than if you play an octave down... The effect of the opening of the first suite as it is played on cello can only be approximated if you play it in thumb position. Same with the broken chords in the third suite prelude, or any chords... The chords Bach puts- Root, fifth, third or root,fifth,third root -fit so comfortably in the hand on cello that it is a marvelous gymnastic feat to get that kind of ringing sound on a bass.

I think you should start with movements with fewer chords or broken/arpeggiated chords, like the prelude to the 2nd, the bourrees from the third etc. Those can be transposed with fewer issues.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I remember working on the bouree from the 3rd suite. Very nice I remember Rinat Ibragimov had some fantastic version of that.

Anyone know how one decide which keys is appropriate. Why M. Ibragimov choose this keys over another one? Is there logic behind or sound...

That Rinat Ibragimov can really play. Interesting way of holding the bow for Bach, not his normal grip. He will have an explanation for the key and grip for sure. His first instrument was cello. Sometimes he holds the bass kinda like a cello.

 

[neilG]

The bow grip is, IMO, an affectation. It's supposed to mimic a Baroque violin or cello hold. It's not likely that there were overhand bows used on violones, bass violins and related instruments in Bach's time. Rinat could have held it backwards and sounded just as good.

 

[robobass]

The bow grip is, IMO, an affectation. It's supposed to mimic a Baroque violin or cello hold. It's not likely that there were overhand bows used on violones, bass violins and related instruments in Bach's time. Rinat could have held it backwards and sounded just as good.

Neil,
You need to visit the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in Cologne. They have a huge collection of Dutch and German paintings from Bach's era with a good number showing basses and violones, mostly being played with an overhand grip. If you ever get over here, look me up. The Kölsch (local beer) is on me

 

[neilG]

You learn something new every day. Thanks. Can't make the trip but I'll search the net for some iconography.

 

[LouisF]

This came in the inbox this morning. It may be of interest:

Rachel Podger: 'I played Bach at home in secret'

 

[Mrlen613]

Here's a link to Jason Heath's bass blog. Michael Kurth has done some very nice transpositions of the Bach suites. There's also a lot of other good pieces there as well. This goes to solo and chamber pieces but check out the orchestra excerpts and other resources. Jason (and Michael) have really put together some nice stuff.

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[koricancowboy]

I think 3 as a suite is easiest if it is the Sterling edition transcribed into G. Then I'd say 1. 6 is a beast.

 

[LouisF]

From this week's New Yorker -

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