Mel Bay J. S. Bach for Bass [Paperback]

Josquin des Pres (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 1996

Johann Sebastian Bach is recognized as one of the world's supremely great musicians. Known primarily as an organist and then only later recognized as a composer, Bach transformed the conventional structures of preludes and fugues. J.S. Bach for Bass will open up a whole new world of phrasing for the aspiring bassist. Selections include: Prelude #1 in C Major; Suite #1 in G Major; Suite #2 in D Minor; Suite #3 in C Major; Partita #1 in B Minor; Partita #2 in D; Partita #3 in E Major; Sonata #1 in G Minor; and Sonata #3 in C Major. This book is written in notation and tablature.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Johann Sebastian Bach was the first great musician to disregard the rules of harmony and rhythm that were strictly followed by other composers. This fact alone helped to make him the forerunner of musical composition as we know it today. Born the son of a violinist in Eisenach, Germany, in 1685, he received his first musical training on the violin. At the age of 10, he went to live in the home of his brother Christoph, who taught Johann to play the harpsichord and the organ. It was also at this time that Bach began school, where his boy-soprano voice was greatly admired and appreciated. When his voice changed, Bach concentrated on the violin; but the organ soon took his interest, and he decided to devote himself to church music. At the age of 18, Bach became the organist at Arnstadt and began his work in musical composition. After a short period of time, he moved to Muhlhausen where he married his cousin, Maria Bach. At Muhlhausen he began to experiment with changes in the music used in the church services of the German Protestant Church. It was also during this time that he began to become somewhat well known. It was this that gained for him the position as court organist and violinist to the duke at Weimar, where he remained for about nine years. During this nine-year period, he wrote many cantatas for the Church, suites for the clavichord and harpsichord, and fugues (musical compositions in which the first melody is continually repeated and imitated throughout the entire piece). In fact, because he wrote so many fugues for the organ and piano, he is often called "the Great Master of the Fugue." His next position at Köthen was during the period in which he produced much of his orchestral music and music for the clavichord and harpsichord. In 1720 his wife died; and a year later he married Anna Wulken, who was also a musician. She evidently helped him considerably in his work. In 1723 Bach went to Leipzig as music director of the Thomas-schule. During his stay at Leipzig, he wrote many of his church cantatas and oratorios. Among these is his famous Christmas Oratorio. In 1749 Bach became totally blind; and in the following year, 1750, he died. Historians tell us that Bach did not seem to associate very much with other musicians and was far more interested in his family of 20 children and in composing and directing his church choirs than in becoming "famous." In addition to his almost unequaled skill as a composer, he also was an excellent organ builder, as well as an expert music copyist. Since most of his life was spent within a few miles of his birthplace, we also now know that Bach’s music was not widely known throughout the world during his lifetime. In fact, many of Bach’s most beautiful works were unpublished and unperformed for almost 100 years, until two later composers (Mendelssohn and Schumann) discovered the beauties of his music and began to perform them and make them known to the world. Josquin des Pres was born in France. His career in music began in 1976 when he obtained his first record deal signing his fusion band with United Artist Records. Since then, he has produced hundreds of projects, working with some of the biggest names in the recording industry: Jeff Porcaro (Toto), Bernie Taupin, Vinny Colaiuta (Sting), Steve Lukather (Toto) Billy Sheehan, Bunny Brunel etc. As a songwriter, he is one of the very few to collaborate on numerous songs with Elton John’s legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin. As the owner of Track Star Studios in La Mesa, Josquin des Pres does more for his clients then just record demos or CDs. He helps mold the creative process, planning production strategy and develops the project so that it is competitive on today’s music scene.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications (November 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078662843X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786628438
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Bach

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach is Best!, August 6, 2006

By 

J. D. Karp "The Traveling Thumb" (Philly PA -home of the tunafish hoagie) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay J. S. Bach for Bass (Paperback)

As a long time guitar picker who recently became obsessed with all things Jaco Pastorius, I felt the need to purchase a bass guitar and plumet the depths of the F clef. This streamlined volume contains 10 pieces by J.S. Bach transcribed for the bass in TAB as well as traditional notation. It's a no-frills, no filler, edition packed with 100% protein! I chose this book over the other Bach for Bass book offered at Amazon mainly because this included a CD in the bargain. The material contained in this book is such a rich and solid foundation in the construction of scales and chords, that it would be beneficial to anyone interested in building their own solid musical vocabulary. So, continue to slap and pop that bass! But if you want to turn some heads,try playing melodically. This is the book to plant musical seeds with!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent., November 23, 2006

By 

R. Rager (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay J. S. Bach for Bass (Paperback)

These arrangements are simply beautiful. Challenging, but very rewarding. Great for personal enjoyment or private study. As a teacher, this is one of the materials I use with my students in their private lessons.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, August 13, 2006

By 

Travis L. Keller "TKO" (OV,NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay J. S. Bach for Bass (Paperback)

After hearing Jack Bruce, Phil Lesh and many other greats talk about the bass lines of Bach, this book became an obvious buy. Only learned a song or 2 as of yet, and it is plenty challenging for this 6 year 4 -stringer. I can easily say i've never played anything as beautiful on a bass as what this book has shown me.