Physical limitations and transcribing

[Tslicebass]

Hey Janek
I was just curious as to how you go about accurately transcribing solos and melodic ideas by guys like coltrane, holdsworth, etc.
Do you aim to be able to specifically play their licks or do you more so just try to grasp the concept of what they are doing and apply it to the bass.
I have taken your advice about staying away from transcribing musicians other than bass players to heart. However, one thing that keeps me coming back to bassists is that I can accurately reproduce their solos physically and sonically (correct range, octave). It seems like a impossible task to attempt to tackle holdsworth stuff because of the insane execution and seemingly impossible task of trying to play it on a 5 string bass.
Your thoughts???

[janekbass]

When I'm working on playing aspects of a solo I've transcribed it's not about the range of the instrument I've transcribed, it's about the language and thought process that went into creating the lines I'm writing down.

For the sake of technique I will absolutely try to re create the tempo and articulation of any soloist I transcribe, but the emphasis is on accumulating vocabulary that is useful to your own voice, and to what you want to do with the music.

I'm not sure whether you meant to write what you wrote.... maybe a grammar issue in the post.... but what you said was "I have taken your advice about staying away from transcribing musicians other than bass players to heart."

I'm not sure where you read that, but I really don't recommend transcribing bass solos at all. I never have. and I really recommend the complete opposite to what you're saying I said, so I want to clear that up.


Easy,

Janek

[Tslicebass]

oh yeah my bad. I meant to say I understand why you say NOT to transcribe bass players. Cool man... thanks for your insight.