Chopin’s fabulous Nocturne No.1 was written for piano. Naturally, I don’t have enough strings or fingers to play every note of the original – it’s simply not possible – so in this arrangement for solo bass guitar, some of the harmony notes have had to be omitted, and some of the chords inverted, but all of the melody has been retained. And of course, I can express some of the phrasing on the bass in a way in which it is not possible on the piano. Therefore, it is not a strict translation of the original, but I have adhered to it as much as possible, and I hope it retains some of the beauty of this timeless classic.

The piece has been transposed from the written key of Bb minor into F minor, just so the range sits better on the bass guitar.

Performed on a Pedulla 5-string bass tuned E-A-D-G-C

Arranged and recorded in 2015.