Is it SACRILEGE to play solo Bach on the bass?

[@geoffreev]

Thank you Jason! Always love your videos! This really helped me get started with this incredible music! It was Yo-Yo’s Dad that started him at age 4 having him play one measure of the first suite at a time.

[@doublebasshq]

That’s right! I totally forgot the details of that Yo-Yo Ma story. Probably a good way for a lot of folks to approach Bach at any age!

[@stevebadachmusic]

Your Bach sounds great! beautiful playing.

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks, Steve!

[@nilsonmatta6392]

Thanks Jason! 👏👏👏👏😎

[@nilsonmatta6392]

Thanks Jason for the class! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@gssong7111]

Damn, you read my mind! Just found an old article you write on this topic. I was thinking, wheres the vid?

[@doublebasshq]

That’s awesome-great minds think alike!

[@anthonykosoko7597]

Love these conversations. Thanks so much! Well played sir!!

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks!!

[@davidbteague]

I tune in 5ths. I learned the 1st suite at bass pitch 1st. Still working on cello pitch. Great video. Thanks!

[@doublebasshq]

That's awesome--thanks for watching!

[@sergeicherkes]

Well played!!!

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks! I thought about trying to record the whole thing, but I realized that the video would never happen if I tried to tackle the entirety of the suite. :-)

[@matthewv789]

Sounds really nice!

[@doublebasshq]

Thanks!

[@brahmabile]

Great info. Speaking of unusual bows, might dig playing a kobow by percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani.

[@daveshep]

This is great, Jason! I have been working on the prelude on my own for about four weeks. Last week I discovered that the first menuet is WAY easier to play, so that’s what I’m doing now. If 60 bpm for a sixteenth note is good for Mr. Meyer, it’s good for me! 😄

[@doublebasshq]

Nice! That’s a great way to approach it.

[@trevorrobertsondoublebass4233]

It’s sacrilege not to play solo Bach on the bass…this is the way.

[@doublebasshq]

I love it!!

[@franciscocosta8415]

vc é um grande profissional, agradeço por nos da tanta informações importantes

[@kamikan22]

i was playing the suite 2 on the lower register x'd and also played the elegy of faure an octave lower for a final and suffered a little x'c

[@davidbteague]

I played the tuba for 20 years before I switched to string bass. I played an awful lot of Bach on the tuba.

[@jasonaaron1077]

Great videos thanks! What kinda bass bass are you playing? I’m kind of a beginner(came from electric bass) I play a decent Chinese upright but considering buying a nicer one soon? Any recommendations? I wonna stay under $2k! Thanks

[@doublebasshq]

Tha is for the kind words! My bass is made by Al Jakstadt-great instrument, but more like $20k. There are some great options from Shen, Eastman, and many other companies for around $2k, so I’d say look those up and find a local bass shop that sells them or similar instruments.

[@ositoCastro]

Nice, very interesting! Brand of your strings?

[@mark-stefaniw]

Looks and sounds like Kaplan not sure which gauge?

[@doublebasshq]

I’ve been using the Kaplan mediums these days. I’m thinking about switching it up, though. A lot of the SF Symphony bassists are using Evan Pirazzis right now, so I might give those a try. The never ending quest for the perfect string…

[@mark-stefaniw]

@@doublebasshq kaplans are addicting. I have EP weich on my "orchestra" bass with the medium extended E. They're harder to start, and harder to hear myself in the section than Kaplan. I think it's because EPs are brighter and blend more with the VC section. On my "solo" bass I have Kaplan medium with a heavy E in drop-D mode. OMG this is so good. I've been in drop-D since the last concert since I wanted to play my kaplan clad solo bass in orchestra. I could hear my bass echoing off the walls. Kaplan have such good fundamental, with just enough sizzle to be interesting.

[@Oscaraha]

I would think that the fact that he didnt make any solo arrangements for the double bass are making J.S. turn in his grave more than anything. The GOAT!

[@doublebasshq]

For sure!

[@figuex]

Thanks for pronouncing Bach properly

[@doublebasshq]

I’m so horrible at pronunciation! My South Dakota accent doesn’t help things either… :-)

[@figuex]

@@doublebasshq first time was 10/10

[@daveshep]

@@doublebasshq But there are lots of Germans in South Dakota, nicht wahr?

[@davidbteague]

Bach put his music on many different instruments. There is no reason we shouldn't play his music on our instrument.

[@andrewprzybyla8871]

Very insightful video! Mr. Heath, you inspired me to get my Peters Edition of suites 1, 2, and 3, transcribed by H.S. Sterling. In this edition Suite I, the Prelude, is in C major. What do you think about this key? Gordon Sumner (Sting) states in his interview with Rick Beato (see hyperlink) that he and Dominic Miller (Sting's guitarist) practice J.S. Bach daily - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5e1gptoq9ijjMU.

[@doublebasshq]

Awesome! C is a good key for the first suite. I think the the prelude sits a little funky on the bass in this key, but the other movements are good. Just my two cents.

[@mauricioromero94110]

?

[@nilsonmatta6392]

Thanks Jason! 👏👏👏👏😎