Group 2 - Bach Veterans - Exploring Bach on Bass

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 - a PDF is supplied in the below. It requires the ability to play in thumb position, and read both bass and tenor clefs.

TWI 4 - Exploring Bach on Bass

Week 1 Video

How it works: 

For this TWI, we will be organized into 2 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 1:00-2:00pm ET (Toronto/New York)