Bach Cello suites - do you prefer tenor or bass trombone?

[henrikbe]

As the title asks: Do you prefer to play (or hear) the Cello suites on tenor trombone or bass trombone?

(BTW, is it not possible to create polls on this forum? Didn't see any option for that)

[Matt K]

At the bottom of new topics, there should be a tab that allows you to create poll options. I'm not sure if you had permission before or not (it' possible this subboard didn't get permissions copied). I refreshed the rules and just added a poll (and voted!) but do let me know if you can't make polls elsewhere and I'll take another look at it.

I prefer cello suites on bass if it has 2 rotors. Too much technical stuff in these suites to play on a single valve in my opinion. Take the prelude to #1 for example... all those arpeggiated figures that go down to low C. YIkes, no thanks on a tenor. Although I have a dependent tenor that I built with these in mind although frankly I haven't played them as much as I thought I would on it. There's a certain quality that I really like about the tone of a bass for these... or actually euphonium. I played these a LOT when I had a Wilson compensating. So fun.

[MoominDave]

Cello, please.

But on trombone, bass. They sit better and more sonorously.

[hyperbolica]

I prefer cello suites on tenor, mainly due to phrasing. It's already hard to phrase these things on a wind instrument, but with the shorter air supply on bass, it's even harder. Plus, I've had the LaFosse edition since 1983, specifically adapted for tenor, so I'm kind of set in my ways. The first one is in C rather than the original G.

[BGuttman]

To play the originals you would need a trombone with a solid low C. I wish I could figure out how to program in the scordatura (de-tuned string) used in one of them.

A double trigger indie bass might be best for them, but if you had a tenor with an E attachment (or a double trigger tenor) it might also be nice. Big problem is the fingerings, especially if you have to use large slide shifts.

[timothy42b]

Either for playing, neither for listening.

These just aren't pieces to program. IMO.

[Redthunder]

Either for playing, neither for listening.

These just aren't pieces to program. IMO.

I Disagree.

[Neo Bri]

Either for playing, neither for listening.

These just aren't pieces to program. IMO.

I agree. In general. Some work, most don't.

[baileyman]

I hear them with Mel Lewis on drums...

[AndrewMeronek]

I hear them with Mel Lewis on drums...

I like to play them on whatever instrument, but transpose them appropriately. In concert pitch, bass trombone seems to work best.

[jazzaltobone]

Personally, I prefer to play them on alto. I play them a fourth higher (same relative positions as a tenor). Full disclosure: all I play is alto!

[timothy42b]

So you add 3 flats?

[Neo Bri]

So you add 3 flats?

He would add 1 flat.