Classics on the bass guitar?

LAKEVILLE — Mention “electric bass guitar” and the music fan’s thoughts turn to John Entwhistle of The Who, maybe. Or Jaco Pastorius from Weather Report.It’s unusual when someone decides to develop a classical repertoire for the electric bass, but that’s what John D’Ercole of Lakeville has done.D’Ercole is performing at Music Mountain on Friday, July 22, 8 p.m., in the first of a new series of Friday night concerts at the venerable venue.D’Ercole describes himself as a “jazz bass player,” and said that while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and under the influence of classical guitar icon Andres Segovia, he decided to try to adapt classical pieces for the electric bass.And not a standard four-string bass, either, but a six-string.This is an unusual thing, to say the least. Asked if showing up with his bass and amplifier raises eyebrows, D’Ercole said, “Suprisingly, no. Maybe a little at first. I was worried that would be the case.”He plugs straight into the amp, striving for a natural sound. “I’m not a big effects person,” he said. “I might put a little reverb on, depending on the acoustics” of the room.His repertoire includes Beethoven’s “Fur Elise,” Bach cello pieces, music written for the lute.And he says it is starting to catch on. The 23-year-old said at present he’s “practicing all the time, and booking performances.”For more information, go online to www.musicmountain.org (click on 2011 Festival and then Friday Nights).

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