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J.S. Bach


BrunoBass
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I sometimes hear bass players making reference to Bach's compositions as being the birthplace of the bassline, and the influence that his work has on modern bass playing.

Despite having an encyclopaedic knowledge of rock music I know relatively little about classical music, other than knowing what I like and little else (Satie, Holst, Faure, Greig, Saint-Saens). I'm always looking to broaden my musical horizons so can anybody point me in the direction of some of Johann Sebastian's best bass-y tunes?

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You can't go far wrong with these- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmonized-Chorales-Johann-Sebastian-Bach/dp/0793525748

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL749DDF4746E2FE81&v=wGWdCzh2Oxc

These chorales more or less (in a very broad sense) laid down the rules for modern harmony. Astonishing to think he'd improvise this stuff, like a lot of his fugues, sit through the service, go home and write them out. Like Elgar and Mozart I believe there's no evidence of mistakes in his original scores.

Even if you only get one or two things from these, which are astonishingly beautiful in their simplicity, it's worth it. I still use the contramotion idea working with original artists, that is, the melody goes up, bass goes down and vice versa. Stupidly effective for such a simple idea.

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The cello suites and violin partitas are essential listening. The prelude to cello suite No. 1 is a great piece to learn.

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGQLXRTl3Z0"]http://www.youtube....h?v=mGQLXRTl3Z0[/url]

Edited by JohnR
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[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1491944462' post='3276732']
I've bought a couple of books of tab arrangements of J.S. Bach for bass. If you can't find any yourself message me and I'll get you some more information. It's cracking stuff but you need to be a bit more applied than myself.
[/quote]

Thank you

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[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1491984700' post='3276883']
Thank you
[/quote]

Got the books down off the shelf for you. I thought I had three different ones but it turns out that two are the same except that one has a play along CD for the bass duets if you aren't up to playing both parts simultaneously as I've seen on YT clips. If you want the one without the CD I'd be happy to send it to you. PM me to sort out the postage expenses if you want it.

J. S. Bach for Electric Bass
Three duets and five solo pieces arranged for bass guitar
Music, Instruction, Historical Analysis
By Bob Gallway, PH.D.
Hal Leonard
ISBN 978-0-634-03143-4
(This is the spare that I might let you have)

It contains score and tab for;[list]
[*]Two-Part Invention #4 in D Minor
[*]Two-Part Invention #1 in C Major
[*]Sinfonia from Partita 2 in C Major for Solo Harpsichord
[*]Bourree 1 and 2 from Suite #3 in C Major for Solo Cello
[*]Sarabande from Suite #2 in D Minor for Solo Cello
[*]Presto from Sonata #1 in G Minor for Solo Violin
[*]Allemande from Suite #6 in D Major for Solo Cello
[*]Tempo di Bourree from Sonata #2 in D Major for Solo Violin
[/list]
and

(Translated from Italian)
J. S. Bach Inventions
Transcriptions for 2 Four String Basses
by Marco Di Natale
a CD ROM with audio and interactive
track containing also the transcriptions
for two 6 string electric basses
Ricordi
ISMN M-2151-0625-3
It contains score only for;[list]
[*]Invention 1 C Major
[*]Invention 2 C Minor
[*]Invention 6 E Major
[*]Invention 8 F Major
[*]Invention 13 A Minor
[/list]
Hope this helps.

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[quote name='owen' timestamp='1492029233' post='3277380']
I am playing the St Matthew Passion on Friday. I have not done this kind of stuff for a VERY long time. I will be very tired on Saturday. Cracking bass lines though. He was The Don.
[/quote]

Amen. A mighty work. Enjoy.

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[quote name='owen' timestamp='1492029233' post='3277380']
I am playing the St Matthew Passion on Friday. I have not done this kind of stuff for a VERY long time. I will be very tired on Saturday. Cracking bass lines though. He was The Don.
[/quote]

Have a great gig my friend.

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J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel both wrote excellent basslines. I use their minuets as etudes playing the bass clef (left hand) of the score along with YouTube videos. I’ve found most of the minuets follow modal theory and playing them provides solid foundational knowledge.

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[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1492161995' post='3278344']
Just listen to any of Adam Clayton's lines. He pretty much channels J.S. Bach.
[/quote]

Harharharharharhar.

Now I have to wipe the splutter debris off my screen. I hope your satisfied with yourself!

Happy Easter.

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[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492012289' post='3277194']


Got the books down off the shelf for you. I thought I had three different ones but it turns out that two are the same except that one has a play along CD for the bass duets if you aren't up to playing both parts simultaneously as I've seen on YT clips. If you want the one without the CD I'd be happy to send it to you. PM me to sort out the postage expenses if you want it.

J. S. Bach for Electric Bass
Three duets and five solo pieces arranged for bass guitar
Music, Instruction, Historical Analysis
By Bob Gallway, PH.D.
Hal Leonard
ISBN 978-0-634-03143-4
(This is the spare that I might let you have)

It contains score and tab for;[list]
[*]Two-Part Invention #4 in D Minor
[*]Two-Part Invention #1 in C Major
[*]Sinfonia from Partita 2 in C Major for Solo Harpsichord
[*]Bourree 1 and 2 from Suite #3 in C Major for Solo Cello
[*]Sarabande from Suite #2 in D Minor for Solo Cello
[*]Presto from Sonata #1 in G Minor for Solo Violin
[*]Allemande from Suite #6 in D Major for Solo Cello
[*]Tempo di Bourree from Sonata #2 in D Major for Solo Violin
[/list]
and

(Translated from Italian)
J. S. Bach Inventions
Transcriptions for 2 Four String Basses
by Marco Di Natale
a CD ROM with audio and interactive
track containing also the transcriptions
for two 6 string electric basses
Ricordi
ISMN M-2151-0625-3
It contains score only for;[list]
[*]Invention 1 C Major
[*]Invention 2 C Minor
[*]Invention 6 E Major
[*]Invention 8 F Major
[*]Invention 13 A Minor
[/list]
Hope this helps.
[/quote]

Thank you for going to the effort, very kind of you 😊

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