04 Feb Flatpicking Guitar Arrangement of Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major
Download PDF TAB View Interactive TABI arranged a flatpicking version of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 as a right hand picking exercise for myself and thought I’d share it with all of you.
Since this was written for a cello, it has a single note melody that runs through all the different changes. I think that is why Bach has become so popular with Bluegrass musicians. It really lends itself well to being played with a flatpick. However, I haven’t found a good version of it for flatpicking. All the arrangements I found were for fingerstyle classical guitar. Obviously this version is pretty similar to the others since it’s the same song. The biggest differences are in the elimination of the bass note played with the right thumb and the hammer-ons and pull-offs throughout.
Some tips on playing it:
This is solid up down picking the whole way through with lots of string jumps that alternate between hitting the lower string with the downstroke and upstroke. There are also lots of hammer ons and pull offs that alternate between upstrokes and downstrokes. Just remember to always keep your pick moving through them so you don’t lose the rhythm of hitting downstrokes on the downbeats and upstrokes on the upbeats.
If you know what all of that means, you’re ready for this. Give it a go and tell me what you think.
Michele Johnston
Posted at 14:43h, 06 JanuaryI’m so excited to start working on this!
I want to tell you how much I’ve appreciated and enjoyed this website. A few years ago I picked up the guitar hoping to speed healing after a traumatic brain injury. I started with a chord chart and a beginner book but I really struggled with retention. Honestly, I didn’t make much progress with the book.
Finding mormonguitar.com was awesome! I learned to read tabs by setting the interactive tool to a snail’s pace and following along, memorizing one little measure at a time. Seeing note names, chord names, and tabs all together made everything “click.” I can’t state definitively that learning to play an instrument sped my healing (who knows how long it would have taken otherwise?) but I do know that playing hymns daily has reduced my stress levels and invited a sweet spirit of healing into my home. I’ve expanded my repertoire past I Wonder When He Comes Again… I’ve now mastered FIVE of your arrangements, and it’s getting easier and easier to sight read! Thanks for building such a comprehensive and easy-to-follow tool. I have recommended your site to accomplished musicians looks for new arrangements and to members who have expressed a desire to learn to play guitar. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talents with others! I think you’re the bomb-diggety. :)