Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Has anyone seen Bach's Cello Suite #1 tabbed for 5 or 6 string?
- Thread starter glorth2
- Start date
Do you mean tabbed? Because transcribed is a notation term... and for a 5 string bass, it would be the same as the original cello notation.
I know it's not want you want to hear, but I'd take this opportunity to better your sight reading. Not everything is printed in TAB, and most TABs I've seen (both in print or on the web) don't show fingerings that make sense to me. If you learn sight reading you can develop your own fingerings as you go. Just take it slow and learn a few bars before progressing.
well it sure would be a great opportunity to learn to read ... and yes you can easily play it with a 5 or 6 ... in reality it is way easier to make it happen on a 6 than anything else
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,406
- 9,855
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
I can't imagine sullying the memory of Bach by tabbing his cello suites.
It's just another one of a million ways of writing music. All having their advantages and disadvantages. =]
Standard notation has no disadvantages.
One of the problems with TAB is that you would be buying into one version of how best to finger this piece. Various parts can be played in different positions… but which combination of these is best for you, your axe and you, or your evolving conception of the work?
Learn to read notation, seriously. Music notation is one very powerful code! Comprehending genuine music only through TAB is like trying to sense an elephant with plugs up your ears and nose, and limited tactile access to its butt.
Learn to read notation, seriously. Music notation is one very powerful code! Comprehending genuine music only through TAB is like trying to sense an elephant with plugs up your ears and nose, and limited tactile access to its butt.
I'm not going to get into a general discussion of tab vs. notation. For some things for some people tab is a pretty minor evil that at this point doesn't warrant much comment even from the most die-hard critic.
When it comes to the Cello Suites though you're really doing yourself and the music a disservice trying to use tab to decipher what Bach has done. As you get into them it begins to dawn on you that you're going to spend many years if not the rest of your life trying learn to phrase each section of each suite as a single musical statement. This is some seriously heavy music that doesn't go very far taking a casual approach. You go so slowly at first that the difference between using tab and notation won't be huge even if you've never practiced reading notation. The difference you will notice is that with notation you get rhythmic values that you can see. What Bach did functions on many levels and what's going on mathematically is vividly communicated just by looking at the notes on the page. In this regard tab will sell you so short that you may as well not bother.
Find and listen to the Pablo Casals and Steven Isserlis recordings while looking at the notation and the tab side by side. Do this and something will happen to your perspective on this vast project whose doorway you're standing.
.
When it comes to the Cello Suites though you're really doing yourself and the music a disservice trying to use tab to decipher what Bach has done. As you get into them it begins to dawn on you that you're going to spend many years if not the rest of your life trying learn to phrase each section of each suite as a single musical statement. This is some seriously heavy music that doesn't go very far taking a casual approach. You go so slowly at first that the difference between using tab and notation won't be huge even if you've never practiced reading notation. The difference you will notice is that with notation you get rhythmic values that you can see. What Bach did functions on many levels and what's going on mathematically is vividly communicated just by looking at the notes on the page. In this regard tab will sell you so short that you may as well not bother.
Find and listen to the Pablo Casals and Steven Isserlis recordings while looking at the notation and the tab side by side. Do this and something will happen to your perspective on this vast project whose doorway you're standing.
.
You know, some people just want to play a little bass and have a little fun doing so.
I understand and appreciate the comments about the underlying grandeur of the cello suites, but some people just want to make the sounds that can be recognized as "the cello suites". Not dive into a lifelong journey on the phrasing of notes.
Whether that is wrong or not, is not up to me to judge. To each his own and all that.
I understand and appreciate the comments about the underlying grandeur of the cello suites, but some people just want to make the sounds that can be recognized as "the cello suites". Not dive into a lifelong journey on the phrasing of notes.
Whether that is wrong or not, is not up to me to judge. To each his own and all that.
What I said about going so slow in the beginning that it will be just as fast to use notation is the absolute truth. You asked a question and I'm trying to help you with an honest answer based on my experience with this music. It sucks you in hard and if it doesn't then it spits you out. You don't live next door to me so don't care if you butcher it but for your own sake pick something else to half-ass if that's all you have in you. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.
Dear Jeff, I am not the OP 
Additionally, I do not disagree with your statement - much to the contrary. But every time someone mentions "tab", it starts a notation vs tab debate. Not everyone WANTS to learn to read (I do, I am actually making baby steps in that direction).
I was just playing devil's advocate here.
Additionally, I do not disagree with your statement - much to the contrary. But every time someone mentions "tab", it starts a notation vs tab debate. Not everyone WANTS to learn to read (I do, I am actually making baby steps in that direction).
I was just playing devil's advocate here.
It may come as a surprise to you that Bach used tablatures, to quickly write down ideas or transcribe by ear.
Well there's the requested tab! Best of luck!
Actually it doesn't surprise me at all. Lots of people use some form of shorthand. I regularly make numbers charts.
The manuscript attributed to his wife Anna Magdalena is probably much more indicative of what Bach had in mind though....
Thank you! This is the only one I see on Amazon. Is this the one?
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Bass...&sr=1-1&keywords=john+patitucci+electric+bass
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,406
- 9,855
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
This isn't tab. Tab is numbers on lines to tell the user where to put his finger on the strings of the instrument. That has no relation at all to what Bach did here. Besides, if you are arguably the greatest composer of your time, you can pretty much do whatever you want.
It may come as a surprise to you that Bach used tablatures, to quickly write down ideas or transcribe by ear.
