"Bach is a colossus of Rhodes,
beneath whom all musicians pass and will continue to pass. Mozart is
the most beautiful, Rossini the most brilliant, but Bach is the most
comprehensive: he has said all there is to say. If all the music
written since Bach's time should be lost, it could be reconstructed on
the foundation which Bach laid."- Charles Gounod
J.S. Bach Selected Two-Part Inventions-- arranged for two mandolins in tab and standard notation, with suggested fingerings-- by Debora Chen.
Review of Chen's Bach Book
from Don Stiernberg
Free
Play-along MP3's
Free Sample
--Invention 4 excerpt:
Mando I tab
,
Mando II tab
,
Score
Eight of the original fifteen inventions are presented here,
arranged as mandolin duets, but a mandolinist who learns both (equally
melodious) parts will no doubt find playing and hearing both parts
rewarding by trading parts with a friend, recording and over-dubbing
the other part, or using the pre-recorded tracks below. Inventions
included are: 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15. (more) $16.95 Budget edition (lighter paper, approx. equivalent to Mel Bay publications) $10.95
bach sale button
Sheet Music--
J.S. Bach Cello Suite 1
,
Prelude, arranged for mandolin in tab and notation, with suggested fingerings:
A nice piece to with which to learn the upper registers of the fretboard. (more)
$3.95
J.S. Bach Cello Suite 1
,
Allemande, arranged for intermediate mandolin in tab and notation, with suggested fingerings.
Easier to play than the prelude. (more)
$2.95
J.S. Bach Cello Suite 3
,
Bourrees 1 & 2, arranged for intermediate mandolin in tab and notation, with suggested fingerings.
Easier to play than the prelude. (more)
$2.95
Optional Guitar transcription of Mandolin II (with tab and notation)
will be published later in 2008, and may be purchased separately.
For notice of publication, please put "2-part Bach, guitar" in the subject line and join the email notify list
here.
Review:
"For centuries now instrumentalists have used the Bach inventions to learn about melody, harmony, and how to operate their instruments. Debora Chen presents them here with the goal of easy access for the mandolinist. Playing these melodies and hearing these harmonies will present many exciting possibilities to mandolinists of every style and level of expertise. Whether you're playing fiddle tunes and looking to get a little more 'flow' in your picking, or a jazz player listening for movement of essential chord tones, or a choro enthusiast attempting to cope better with chromaticism, or someone who wants to work on reading and technique without drilling scales, or someone who wants to play music with another person---THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!" (emphasis Don's) --Don Stiernberg
For help with practicing the 2-Part Inventions, here are
electronic recordings of the set, played slowly with metronome clicks
and without ornaments. Before each invention, you will hear 2 full
measures of metronome clicks-- with a higher click on the first beat of
each measure--so that you can set yourself in tempo with the
recording. If you like, use them to learn each part, or to play the
opposite part from the one you are playing yourself. (Mandolin 2 is
played by recorder or oboe to make it easier to hear which part is
which.) Have fun!