Edgar Meyer - BACH & friends - Michael Lawrence Films

[viennachan1]

The only bqssist who can play Bach on bass and make it sound true. Others may have great technique but they make Bach sound rather ridiculous. I think i heard all of them on YouTube, and i don't care if i ever hear them again. But Meyer is in a class of his own.

[jazzybassmasterboy]

I'm lucky enough to say that I parked next to Mr. Meyer when he played with the Fresno Philharmonic. Quelle privilege! It certainly was a night tom remember. I love all the work you do !

[garspelman]

Simply amazing!

[3sgtepwnzr]

such a relief to get away from the Biebers, Ga Ga's and Lil Waynes...at least for a bit.

[djentman77]

im learning this piece now.... Edgar Meyer is such an inspiration

[elopez4024]

wow..... sounds awesome in the Bass

[kbassy]

Why all of the hate? I challenge any bass player to produce that type of sound on the Bach Suites, or any piece in general. He's a fabulous musician.

[bassist2307]

I could listen to this 24 hours a day.

[KISIMOV]

He can play on viola da gamba!? AWESOME!!!!!

[nicechuck1956]

There's no frets on his bass, just some markers. He's an awesome musician. Makes it look so easy don't he?

[nicechuck1956]

There's no frets on his bass, just some markers. He's an awesome musician

[Jack458111]

if you look really close there's frets on his bass

[DolganoFF]

Have you seen his bow? Crooked and bent as hell :/

[BedInTheGraveyard]

Micheal Lawrence Films... MILF?

[sleazebee]

@BedInTheGraveyard hahahhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa...nice one

[CGiordano464]

I'd love to make a sloped bride for my mandolin and try to play as if a violin

[SnarkAttack12]

@CGiordano464 i think in Norway they make violins with double strings. awesome sound; check it out

[bassramos]

One Crazy Mofo on the bass. Damn!

[drkmonkey7]

ok so im getting a double bass soon and so far I got Ray Brown and Edgar Meyer. Who else should I add to my list of great double bass players. Also name some classical pieces that sound really beautiful on double bass. Thank You!

[ChristianRocker7452]

@drkmonkey7 you should listen to gary karr play pagainini. it is quite amazing

[Rudreax]

@drkmonkey7 Scott LaFaro, Charles Mingus, Gary Karr,

[yurismir1]

@drkmonkey7 Type "Maxim Vengerov - Czardas" in the YouTube search box and click on the first video that comes up. Those are some very talented double bass players. I don't know their names though unfortunately. So "Czardas" is a classical piece that sounds beautiful on double bass. Matteo Gaspari is another great player (type in "Serge Koussevitzky Concerto for Double Bass excerpts" to hear him). Wies de Boevé is another great player (type in "Czardas on double bass" and click on 1st vid).

[z1e2v1]

@yurismir1 roman patkolo is the name of the main bassist with maxim

[yurismir1]

@drkmonkey7 I just thought I'd mention that those are just guys I found on YouTube and they're very good in my opinion, but I don't think any of them are very famous like the players other people mentioned. But hey, sometimes you'll find humble street musicians who are more talented than famous people! Have fun with your double bass.

[mjkobb]

Just ordered your DVD thanks to seeing your videos here. THANK YOU! Can't wait.

[MindSweep43]

After hearing this performance, all I can say is (just like Edgar's father said) ... "Now, that's what it's all about."

[lukasohlsson]

... <3

[jakeiserman]

u all are wrong, its not about his use of vibrato....its actually what makes him so outstanding, that his sound is so pure and amazing without using any vibrato whatsoever. many musicians believe that vibrato makes everything amazing, but this is why he is so famous, becuase of his disuse of vibrato and still sound terrific

[TheRockdoctor54]

@jakeiserman dude, I thought I might be the only other string player in the world who understood what you just said. string players and opera singers take note: vibrato is an accent, not a constant.

[TheRockdoctor54]

@jakeiserman... also, vibrato in general slows down the hand when rehearsed all the time... not a big deal if you play violin and your hand covers half the fingerboard, but when you play an instrument as large as double bass, hand speed is crucial to cover large distances in short times... yes, it does sound great simply as an aesthetic, though I'd say for Edgar it has more to do with economics of movement than tone

[mbrsart]

@TheRockdoctor54 And let's not forget that this is baroque music. Vibrato in those days was used only when the note deserved it. It wasn't until Fritz Kreisler came about that vibrato was used all the time.

[bugman043]

does anyone know what this cello suite is?

[Critchie23]

@bugman043 Prelude to Suite 2

[SnarkAttack12]

@bugman043 sure you have found out by now, but it is the prelude to Bach's second cello suite 0:55

[exavian1]

Is it just me or does he use no vibrato, not just in this video but in other ones; I think I have only seen him use vibrato only once and it was very slight, anyone know why this is?

[superchuds]

@exavian1 he uses vibrato, but only in the right place.vibrato the whole time through doesnt sound good.

[simonhwang4]

@exavian1 You don't have to see him use vibrato, you should be able to hear it. A good musician must have good ears.

[MikeWaddellMusic]

@exavian1

Check out his version of the violin piece zigeunerweisen. Some of his passages sound like a Hammond b3.

[sliderman7]

He's a major talent in every way. Its hard to tell if the spike is out a long way, or if it's a full size Bass. He appears to be very close to the body somehow, amazing!

[TheRockdoctor54]

sliderman, you're half right... yes, the peg is out quite a ways... though definitely not a full size... it's just larger than a half size... which is unreal because having been in the room while he played it, you would not believe how loud and low, yet soft and pristine this instrument sounds... made by Johann Baptiste Gabrielli in Florence Italy, 1769... one of 5 ever built, one of 3 to have survived this long...priceless

[TheBassgurl]

Being a new student of upright bass and bowing, I am amazed at how. Edgar makes it look so effortless. Beautiful tone and music! It just sends chills up my spine every time I watch this!

[zach100590]

@TheBassgurl You need to purchase the CD of him playing the entire 1st, 2nd, and 5th suites by Bach. It's absolutely astounding. Especially the track of him playing the prelude from the 5th suite.

[froggermattie]

i think 5 people missed the like button...

[spoofzilla]

Beautifiul, I really enjoyed that!

[TheJamiekk]

Filled with respect. Beautiful.

[bamagirls06]

Edgar as a fellow bassist I have to say this is one of the most inspiring videos ever! Your rendition is amazing, and inspires me to continuously push myself as a musician. Bravo

[DistortionDoc]

Heh heh yeah he does. Also has a REALLY nice bass- that thing's no high school special- note the extended fretboard, almost down to the bridge. Costs somewhere in the $XX,XXX.xx range.

[samh5508]

@DistortionDoc It's not a fretboard, it's called a fingerboard on string instruments.

[DistortionDoc]

@samh5508 Well duh- same difference. I've played one for 15 years as well as guitar so I mixed 'em up. Scuse me.

[doublealufwaffe]

@DistortionDoc,I don't know if this is possible but could you please be more tasteful in calling attention to the prices of instruments?

[StopTheMoti0n]

that man must have a thumb made of solid steel

[chillerbro9000]

music has never looked so easy to play but be so hard to play at the same time

[samuellastbefore]

This is what it's all about!

[sraderenal]

incrivel.

[Octobass]

There are many fine contrabass soloists. However, only one cuts to the core.

There are a few guys who can put on a seriously entertaining high-wire act on contrabass. But they can't touch this guy.

I've seen world-class violinists, violists, and cellists reduced to silence by Edgar's playing.

The bass acrobatic circus ends here kids, This ain't a bass playing freak show, full of entertaining pyrotechnics

.

This is music. The real deal. As deep as it gets.

[cjamunch]

ive watched this about 56 times, and im still learning.

[bellinivernon]

Exelente !

[bassmanaos]

im doin this for my college audition!

[pinkmodel64]

Amazing. I hate to leave even first position, I could never imagine doing that!

[uprightbassmatt]

master in action! His bass is amazing, hopefully the same I can tell about the owner :D Fantastic!

[Fili2009able]

Amazing, Grandioso I Have one ( don't know if they are more) Edgar's Meyer solo CD and he plays all the instruments , piano , strings , etc Beautiful music !

[squashballferg]

he has a few cd's i think. have a look on spotify to check

[paipaipai99]

..n1 ,,,bravissimo

[zach100590]

how he's making the bass sound like this is beyond me

[werciu]

Great!

[donkeypotato]

Anyone know what the name of the piano song is at the end?

[CompleteAbstractionZ]

It's BMV 850 fugue in d major

[riceboii101]

its the prelude from cello suite no.2 BWV 1008

[drlawitts]

d major fugue, well tempered clavier book 1, bwv850

[sosaley]

this is perhaps one of the best interpretations I've heard so far. He's using a mix of french and italian bow techniques, which make a lot of sense, in order to obtain more control of the pathos of the note. Bass playing nowadays is all about volume. this is delicate, it only makes sense he would use that hand technique

[werciu]

This is from The Wello mTempered Klavier Book I fuge D-major. I hope.

[colingmacknight]

his left hand technique is beautiful. his right wrist isn't as fluid as i would expect for such a great bow sound but its obviously working for him

[mindbodylightsound10]

He jokes up really high on his bow too.  I thought that was a bit unusual as well.

[esvfaa]

I didn't know you could use your thumb........ very nice.

Inspired.... again. So far to go............. and I didn't know the bass could make such sounds, more like a cello.

[quebolonasere]

SEÑOR MUSICAZO

[bungalowbeaker]

Why is he playing it in Emin...

[ChrisGordan]

I was wondering if he was using solo tuning (a step higher), but also wonder if he's using a setup other than all fourths. His E string sounds like an E, but a harmonic on the "G" string also seems to sound an E, where you'd expect a D. Hmmm...whatever tuning he's using, the result is astounding.

[mattgraybass]

He's using a tuning of E-B-E-A.

[ChrisGordan]

Glad to know my ears weren't letting me down- solo tuning on top with a standard E on the bottom.

I've downloaded the score in Dmin and was looking at the possible fingerings...I'd be willing to bet that some of the double-stops are the reason (if not the only reason) for the altered tuning.

Using D-A-D-G should work for the Dmin version.

Again...whatever Edgar does, he does it right. There may be other "right" ways to accomplish certain things, but there are probably no better ways.

[MarkBreitenbach]

his bass is in solo tuning (i.e. up a step)

[jimbalin]

Great recording. Fantastically laid back dude...wonderful.

[DrHeadmark]

so effortless. controlled. an inspiration to all of us bassists

[RonandLavender4ever]

Yes so true DrHeadmark. I have been Playing Double Bass 4 a year. He is so inspirational!

[nixli1980]

Effortless! He even seems to dwarf the instrument...

[billyfalconer]

It's a 5/8ths size bass.

[wweHHH111]

best bass player in world

[clasicalfan]

its playback!!!!!!!

[JupiterAdept]

He's just fantastic with Bach. Love the tone.

He makes it look so easy, while it really is obscenely difficult.

[StephaneGrappelli]

inspiring!!!

[bean596]

awesome

[edlaksmi]

great performance

[disruptivemusic]

I have the utmost respect for Edgar. I had a chance to talk to him after his performance at the Detroit Symphony and it was a truly unique experience. He is just an extraordinary person, not just as a musician.

[md12906773]

I saw Edgar play at Carnegie Hall in NYC with Mark O'Connor & YoYo Ma. I was stunned by his playing although I've been listening to him since the "Strength in Numbers" CD. He is a without a doubt one of the best double bass musicians today. (despite what some retards here might say).  I've been playing bass for 23 yrs. (Oh by the way, YoYo Ma thinks he's amazing, that's enough for me)

[Elthorneo]

Exquisite. Edgar Meyer deserves pure respect. To lonisia, do you know anything at all about double bass playing ? You should be very embarrassed leaving a comment like that.

[rwocmo]

Somebody asked about the mic jack. You're right, stringed instruments are best played with no amplification. However, Edgar often plays in situations where his sound just can't compete with his surroundings- a big hall, or a number of other loud instruments. He trys to go natural, but sometimes he is forced to mic or he just won't be heard. He doesn't use the mic jack for recordings.

[jjshie3]

I'm sure you're right, he is only one of the most respected contrabass players in the world.

[lonisia]

I don't agree.He plays Bach like one 5 years old child.Like a Sevcik etude.

[contramichele]

this is purity

[jjshie3]

I always believed Edgar had developed his own bow grip. It's not as graceful as others but it does what he needs it to. Great performance!

[sarahxboxbeara]

this is so beautiful. Edgar is the best.

[Badong321]

He has a custom extended fingerboard. That is why he appears to be playing sul tasto when in fact he is not that far from the bridge. BTW, It is not really a compliment to tell a bass player they have a "cello-esque sound". Most of us find it condescending.

[buonclaudio]

Edgar Meyer is a great musician but i don't understand why he plays with a microphone...bowed instrument must be played without microphone...

[contramichele]

that is just for recording i guess

[crumikins]

I think he probably has the strongest left hand in the universe.

He looks so relaxed. That's how you know he's the fucking bomb.

[Jack458111]

what a rockstar

[BassplayerTCL]

honestly he eats other bassists for breakfast

[mohacsitivadar]

EDGAR MAYER KING!KING!KING!

[jsxtal]

beautiful

[treysiklist]

What does MUFC mean

[treysiklist]

I play the bass and I must know what song this is

[proggoth]

This is the prelude to Bach's unaccompanied cello suite #2 in D minor. It's difficult enough to play on the cello. :)

[treysiklist]

I googled this music and I can't find sheet music. I know that they are a sries of songs, but I can't find them.

[proggoth]

Google "sheet music Bach cello suites". You can probably download pdf (free-scores)

[cyclist091]

If you're looking for sheet music, Rabbath has an edition out with bass fingerings, and 2 options for the ending.

[muzzleray]

Truly majestic,, amazing, just watching in awe, so amazing.

Thanks for posting

[Alexjr1543]

Edgar Meyer and Yo Yo Ma are both my favourite musicians.

[alexvollrathsmith]

Have you heard the albums Appalachian Waltz or Appalachian Journey? These are two albums where the two of them play together with violinist Mark O'Connor. They are compositions based in American folk music. I recommend both of them to anybody, especially a fan of these musicians in particular.

[Alexjr1543]

Thanks for letting me know about it.

[riceboii101]

Bach has changed my life i have never been so glad to have started to learn music in my life.This is an amazing performance so moving is bach on the double basss. This truely brought tears to my eyes.

[KobrickCryant]

I talked to him when he when to Vegas for bass work shop 3 years ago. He was so nice to everybody. I receive some tips from him, and gave me a pretty lesson on music.

[musicrobusto]

Edgar is one of the nicest person not just musician I've ever talked to. He spent twenty min. talking Indian religion with a someone in front of me. Never once did he brush anyone off or hurry them up or try and rush someone to get out after the show and I've seen him about six or seven times live. His "awsomeness" is unreal.

[hecbone]

Thank you so very much for posting this. The few sentences he speaks really inspired me, I have the same opinions of bach and the double bass.

[sorete08]

i love bach and i love edgar

[fun2cook]

There must be an angel sitting on Edgar Meyer's bass. Wonderful.

[thedbassist]

What a bass. This is great, thanks.