Exploring Bach on Bass

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Description:

Playing the Bach cello suites on the bass was, at one time, considered to be a virtuosic feat. These days, every performing bassist is expected to know at least a movement of Bach - at least in North America - where it has become standard material on most auditions.

 

In this Two-Week Intensive, Travis Harrison will guide you through a process for exploring Bach on the double bass using the Prelude to his second suite. Participants will be given a version of this Prelude in an ideal key (A minor, a fourth lower than the original), and the tools and instruction necessary to create your own interpretations of the music.

 

This is somewhat advanced repertoire, and so please start by checking you would be comfortable playing this piece - sheet music is supplied below, and requires the ability to play in thumb position, and read both bass and tenor clefs.

 

Suite 2 Bass tuning - Prelude

 

How it works:

For this TWI, we will be organised into two groups depending on your comfort level with Bach:

Group 1: Bach Beginners - those whose first time it is playing Bach on the bass

Group 2: Bach Veterans -  those who have already played Bach cello suites on the bass

Please sign up for the group you feel most comfortable playing in.

Timeline 

  • Sign-Up : February 10 - 16
  • Course Period: February 18 - 28
  • Optional check-In via Zoom: Monday February 24 1:30-2:30pm ET (Toronto/New York)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

7 replies

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    • Bernard_Dionne
    • 8 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Hello Travis. I look forward to your coaching on Bach. I should be in the beginner group. 

      • Double Bass consultant, tonebase
      • Travis_Harrison
      • 7 days ago
      • Reported - view

       looking forward to having you! Just please click CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP and sign up for the Group 1 so your email will be on the correct list (perhaps you've done this already). Cheers!

    • Bernard_Dionne
    • 6 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Hello again. I am pretty sure I have signed up already. I just printed the PDF and will start working on the piece. FYI my bass is tuned in 4ths and I play French bow. 

    So far it looks like you will be posting some videos (live?) and we will send 2 videos of ourselves playing over the 2 weeks. It's going to be a great challenge! Best, Bernard

    • Bernard_Dionne
    • 5 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Hello Travis. I hope I will not be the only one benefiting from your coaching on Bach! As I am reading the music I hope you will explain why some notes are tied in groups of 3, others in 4, and that first 16th sometimes separated from the others! See you soon! B 

      • Double Bass consultant, tonebase
      • Travis_Harrison
      • 4 days ago
      • Reported - view

       great question! Happy to say I answered this in my video - you'll see why there. But feel free to come back with more questions as they come up - that's what I'm here for, and other folks as well.

    • Mathieu_BoilyTremblay
    • 4 days ago
    • Reported - view

    Hi Travis I’m very happy to be working on this magnificient pièce with you. 

    Can’t wait to see your vidéo 

      • Double Bass consultant, tonebase
      • Travis_Harrison
      • 4 days ago
      • Reported - view

       thank you Mathieu - first one just posted so it's ready to go for the start tomorrow - off to the practise room!

Content aside

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