Can anyone recommend a good Bach piece?

[PoniesRGr8]

Hi everyone,

I just finished learning a Vivaldi mandolin concerto and have been searching for a new classical piece to learn. Over the past few weeks, several mandolinists that I know have recommended Bach. I do not have an instructor, and so I would be learning it totally on my own. I'm looking for something that will be challenging, but not so difficult that I get frustrated with myself and give up. Basically the only resources I have for mandolin questions and help is this website and a few friends of mine who are always happy to offer advice when they can.

So, if anyone can offer input as far as what piece I should start learning, I'd really appreciate it. Also, it'd be a plus if the notation or tablature for the song is located online somewhere, such as Co-Mando, or is otherwise very easy to find in a store or order from a website because I am anxious to start learning a new piece as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Sarah

Thanks!

[Martin Jonas]

You could try Arioso in F, which is available as TablEdit file at Mandozine. It's listed as "Advanced", but by comparison with what usually comes into that category at Mandozine, I'd say it's "Intermediate". The timing would be a bit tricky to get right on its own merits, but because it's such a familiar hummable tune, it's much easier to work out.

There are nineteen other Bach transcriptions at Mandozine. Virtually any Bach piece you could want to play is at the Icking archive, so electronic availability should not be a limiting factor (although of course the Icking scores are not mandolin reductions, so only the solo violin pieces are straightforward to adapt for playing on your own).

Martin

[John Craton]

Take a look at the third partita in E from the 6 Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. The opening Preludio might be a bit taxing on mando (heck, it's taxing on the violin!), but the other movements should do fairly well and are roughly on par with the Vivaldi concertos.

[glauber]

Check out Anna Magdalena Bach's notebook. Lots of good simple stuff.

[John Bertotti]

You all kill me, In a good way!
I have the Mel Bay Bach book and have yet to find one I think is simple. Doable yes but hardly simple. I can't wait to have the experience where any of this seems simple. This is the one I started with in the book not the easiest but it was first in the book and I could hear it played and that made it easier. Bourree Angloise (from Partita in A minor) in small print it says solo for flute. My fingers are still a bit sore from not giving up on some difficult parts the other day. John

[Stephanie Reiser]

My recommendation would be the prelude to the first cello suite. It is right here at the cafe's tab archive. It is easy enough that even I can play it, and I have only been playing the mando for not even a year. Yet, it is impressive enough that your friends and family will admire it, and you.
Stephanie

[mando bandage]

I'll second the Arioso recommendation. It's definitely within your reach.

R

[onthefiddle]

Musica Viva have a number of easier pieces by Bach here. (http://www.musicaviva.com/mandolin/list.tpl?no=1&inst=mnd&komp=any&phrase=&mode=ws&composer=johann+sebastian+bach&country=any&alpha=any&key=any)
The .gif versions are free.

[Klaus Wutscher]

@resaber
Hey John- that´s exactly what I have been thinking. I am practicing the Bouree Angloise (on and off) for maybe two years and I have yet to play it up to speed. I think there are one or two simple "tunes" in this book but overall, this is advanced stuff- at least more advanced that I am anyway:D

[John Bertotti]

Klaus,
It is probably just me but the more I play it the more I like it. It's actually exciting when I get the phrasing and timing to fall into place. I need to get these onto one page with out the tab. It takes to long to change pages. I must say this piece seems long when you play it start to finish but it looks like there are longer pieces in the book. Thanks John

[John Craton]

Sarah, you might be interested in learning about a new collection hot of the press from Wolfhead Music. A volume called "MandoBach" has 16 selections from the sonatas and partitas for solo violin that have been edited for mandolin. You can read about the collection here (http://www.wolfheadmusic.com).

[vkioulaphides]

Having served as ad hoc —and wretchedly inconsistent—#proofreader/mando-guinea-pig for this edition, I must heartily recommend it. It includes some of Bach's greatest works (originally for violin), tastefully selected and judiciously edited by operaguy (a.k.a. John Craton) for the mandolin.

John's expertise as both violinist and mandolinist, coupled with his experience in teaching young violinists, gives him a perfect vantage-point for choosing which of Bach's violin works may be most gratifying on the mandolin. This edition is guaranteed not to disappoint; having said that, may I also add the "P word"? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Practice, practice, practice...

Well everyone has listed plenty of great bach pieces. While you are working on your tune i would learn " A place in the Heart" in your spare time. Its classical and i think it is one of the most beatiful mando pieces. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Here it is http://www.mandozine.com/music....t+Files (http://www.mandozine.com/music/search_results.php?searchfor=A+place+in+the+heart&tuneselectby=C&mandolevel=&category=&songkey=&artist=&transcriber=&sortby=T&sortorder=A&submit=Find+TableEdit+Files)