Classical Arrangements for Bass Guitar

This bass guitar songbook contains eleven classical scores which have been adapted to be performed by the solo bass guitarist. Each piece has been crafted and arranged to be played within the limits of the bass guitar, using open strings, natural harmonics, and bass guitar techniques such as tapping and double stopping to preserve the harmonies, texture and timbre of the original compositions. Each piece contains both musical notation and TAB.

Contains a large collection of pieces arranged for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players including...

Bourrée no.1 and no.2 (Chopin)

...two simple studies (lower neck position work).

Old French Song (Tchaikovsky)

...bass duet (scale, double stopping).

Baroque Duet (Handel)

...accurate hand placement (developing careful aural skills).

Julens Vuggesang (Grieg)

...a truly polyphonic solo piece for the bass guitar (introduces harmonics and open strings).

Symphony No.7 in A major (Beethoven)

...arranged and adapted from the orchestral score (with optional piano accompaniment).

Children's Corner, mvt. VI (Debussy)

...lower and upper register playing (double stopping and string harmonics).

Prelude in E minor (Chopin)

...developing strength (finger/fret technique pattern).

Sarabande (Debussy)

...open harmonics, the highest and lowest ranges, and tapping and double stopping (intermediate/advanced level).

Prelude in C# minor (Rachmaninoff)

...double stopping and open strings (thumb and hammer-on technique).

Clair de Lune (Debussy)

...subtle tonal control (accurate technique and dynamic control).

This book has been divided into three sections: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

The beginner section contains pieces with piano accompaniment or pieces which can be performed as a duet with another bass player. This allows the player the freedom to enjoy playing the works of Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Handel immediately.

The intermediate section introduces a more polyphonic playing style with the use of pedal notes, open strings, double stopping and harmonics.

Finally, the advanced section presents three challenging solo pieces adapted from the works of Debussy and Rachmaninov, providing the opportunity to apply advanced techniques to perform musically loyal representations of the original compositions.