Classics For Bass: Prelude in G Major (Cello Suite)
$79.00
Learn This Amazing Piece on Bass!
Learn the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite no. 1 in G Major with step by step lessons and harmonic analysis along the way. This is a deep dive into one of the most popular pieces of solo bass repertoire!
Study Piece: Bach Prelude in G Major
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Here’s What People Are Saying…
‘This is the most amazing course I’ve done so far. There are so many things in this course that will broaden my approach to contemporary music.’ Chris Cantor – Australia
‘I love these courses and Mark’s commitment explaining everything there is to know in the most efficient and simple way possible’ Claudio Eluchans – Italy
Check out more reviews of the course in the Reviews tab above!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Study Piece: Prelude In G Major’ Course
The Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite #1 in G Major is probably the most famous cello piece of all time and is a very popular piece for electric bass.
The Study Piece Coaching series of courses take compositions from the classical repertoire and coach you through the pieces in step by step lessons as if you had a bass teacher right there with you.
Mark gives a brief background as well as some important tips on learning the piece before breaking down small bitesize sections and the hurdles they are likely to present. There is also harmonic analysis included so you can study the theory behind the piece and see the melody as more than basic notes on the page.
What level of player is the course aimed at?
This course is aimed at intermediate level players and above. The Prelude demands a medium level of technical facility. This is NOT for beginners.
How Long Are The Lessons?
The lesson lengths vary but the complete course contains over two and a half hours of video content.
How is the course presented? Do I Download Anything?
The course is hosted on the Talkingbass website so there are no video files to download. Download links are provided for the written music. The link will be sent in your welcome email and is also provided on the Study Piece lessons menu.
Is There A Time Limit On Taking The Course?
No. You can take as long as want. There are no time limits
Do I Have Lifetime Access To The Course?
If you purchase the course then yes, you have lifetime access to the course and its material.
Craig Novak (verified owner) –
My favorite course. I love how Mark’s methods let me chew on measures at a time, go to other lessons, and return to pick up where I left off. My only suggestion would be to provide tabs for 5 string basses with a 24 fret board so those of us that wish to play at a higher register could practice with these tabs. Other than that I find this course the greatest present a bass player to give oneself after a few or more years of playing. Everything gets better if you can make this piece. Well Done again Mark!
Thomas McEvilly (verified owner) –
This course is excellent on many levels. Starting with the fact that the piece was arranged for 4-string bass making it accessible for just about anyone. I really like the way this course breaks down the history of the piece along with guidance on tone, dynamics, phrasing, harmonics, plucking and fretting technique. Mark has a great way of demystifying the music by reviewing it step-by-step. Making it accessible for intermediate level players. I’ve been learning about 4-8 bars (1-2 lessons) per week. And then sometimes taking a whole week to smooth out the rough spots. Just like any long piece of music, it can be humbling. Just when I think I’ve got things worked out, my fingers don’t seem to remember WTF they’re doing! : ). But, it’s an exercise in patience, persistence, and attention to detail. I personally like the commitment it takes to learn 40+ bars of classical music. Think of it like a semester in music school with your final project being the completed piece. I also gravitated to this piece because I use floating-thumb fingerstyle (with three plucking fingers) which lends itself well to classical music. Your fretting hand and fingers will also be exposed to many new shapes and maneuvers which will give you confidence playing other music as well.
erica bunce (verified owner) –
I am currently taking this course, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to accomplish learning one of the most amazing pieces of music of all time. This course has been great for me, as an intermediate bass guitar player with some theory knowledge. An advanced player would do even better! Mark explains the chords and scales for each section, which helps for understanding how a piece (or any solo) is written. I have also learned about creating a different sound using different pick ups on the bass. I love learning the tempo of this tune! He provides standard notation and tablature, so one can practice without having the computer on. He demonstrates and teaches how to play each section in detail. It is also great to hear a cello piece transformed to electric bass!
vj63 (verified owner) –
I might be an “Old School” men…but for me there is nothing better to improve your technique, dynamics and in general understanding our beloved instrument and its vast possibilities. This lesson is absolutely fantastic. And Mark’s presentation and explanation of technique approach and harmonics is soo deep. I would suggest going thru your four bars, work on them and then go back and listen again Mark’s explanation. Once you make this piece your own, there will be no more difficulties in approaching Any bass line in contemporary music. I Love it!
Steve Collins (verified owner) –
By far one of the best courses I’ve signed up for and committed to anywhere. You learn so much in the process of learning this piece and at the end of it you actually have something you can play! Mark’s accompanying videos for each section are invaluable – I’ll definitely be signing up for more of these!
Phil Toombes (verified owner) –
I had learned this piece by myself from the Bach cello book but the money I spent buying the talking bass cello suite in G was the best money I’ve ever spent because Marks explanation of the harmony of the piece was brilliant! A real game changer for me. Would highly recommended this course.
Frank Russ (verified owner) –
This is a fantastic course – to learn an amazingly beautiful piece of work. Mark breaks it down step by step and takes you through a harmonic analysis of each section. The chart is super accurate, and overall, this course is a big skill builder. So glad I found it, and I’ll be moving on to the C Major course after I master this.
Dave Rennie (verified owner) –
Completing this course and now being able to play the Prelude is my most significant achievement on bass guitar. I could not have accomplished it without Mark’s expert tuition.
Chris Smeeton (verified owner) –
A great mini project which challenges, motivates and enables me to develop my skillset in areas such as technique, phrasing, harmony and intonation. Mark takes away the fear of dealing with a longer piece of music by breaking down the learning process into manageable chunks so that I am not only able to quickly assimilate what I learn but also have a feeling of achievement after completing each unit. I chose this course because I wanted to work on a beautiful piece of music and I have been rewarded by the knowledge that I can apply what I am learning here to other styles of music too. Super work, Mark!
Claudio Eluchans (verified owner) –
I love these courses and Mark’s commitment to trying to explain everything there is to know in the most efficient and simple way possible, both in terms of technique and music theory.
I can’t wait for the next study piece!
Chris Cantor (verified owner) –
This is the most amazing course I’ve done so far, suitable for intermediate to advanced bassists (I’m intermediate). It has helped me better appreciate the use of inversions, the use of diminished arpeggios, ascending chord tones alternating with descending scale notes, harmonic analysis, pedal tones, intonation and it is all in 16th notes, so plenty to keep me busy. (The secret here is to play 16ths as slowly as you have to to sound correct/nice and gradually increase the tempo staying correct). And as for stretching/moving up and down the neck, no contemporary music is ever going to look impossible after this – again the secret is to play as slowly as you have to at first, keeping it clean. It was also an insight into Bach and how he could use the rules and break them a plenty to produce great sounds. I’m still working on the piece but already wondering about the implications for my future walking bass. There are so many things in this course that will broaden my approach to contemporary music.
Claudio Eluchans (verified owner) –
I love these courses and Mark’s commitment to trying to explain everything there is to know in the most efficient and simple way possible, both in terms of technique and music theory.
At the end of this course you’ll finally own this piece so that you can play it on different octaves and fingering.
I can’t wait for the next study piece!