Transcription Support Group

[ryanowens]

So I'm not sure what everyone thinks of this idea but I would love for a group of us to get together and work on common transcriptions and motivate each other to really get into it.

I know it will be the best way to really get the language in my head and I think it is because I have a hard time with transcribing that I never really stick with it. I know if I had a few fellow talkbassers doing it with me I would be more motivated to stick with it.

Maybe we could connect and post our progress in videos or help each other with parts that we can't seem to get on our own.....

Janek posted a great list of songs to start with a few years ago and I think it would be a great starting place:

Freddie Hubbard's trumpet solo - Fee Fi Fo Fum from Wayne Shorter's "Speak No Evil"

Pat Metheny Guitar solo - Third Wind from PMG's album "still Life Talking"

Stan Getz tenor solo - The way you look tonight from "Stan Getz Plays"

Chris Potter tenor solo - Amsterdam Blues from "Unspoken"

Brad Mehldau piano solo - Countdown from "Live at the village vangaurd"

John Coltrane Tenor solo - Mr. PC from "Giant Steps"

Mike Stern Guitar Solo - Swunk from "is what it is"

Chick Corea piano solo - Matrix from "Now He Sings Now He Sobs"

Herbie Hancock piano solo - My funny valentine from Miles Davis "The Complete Concert 1964 My Funny Valentine + Four & More (Disc 1)"

Miles davis trumpet solos - If I were a bell, If I could write a book, Freddie Freeloader, So what, Capricorn, Springsville from the albums "workin" "relaxin" "cookin" "miles ahead" "water Babies" "kind of blue"

Michael Brecker tenor solos - Song for bilbao, Cabin Fever, Nothing Personal, Pools, Itsbeyereel from the albums "tales from the hudson" "Michael Brecker" "steps Ahead" "Don't try this at home"


I am thinking of starting with the Stern solo on Swunk..... anybody wanna join me..... or have an idea of a different tune to start with?

It is my hope that after a few complete transcriptions under our belt we will all feel more confident and determined to keep transcribing on our own and I'm sure our ears will be all the better for all the work.

[jazzcrime]

ryan - i'd love to join you with 'swunk'

this is a great idea!

[ryanowens]

cool.

I have set a goal to work out the guitar line for the intro tonight.

Then tomorrow I will try to listen to the song as much as I can before working out the verses.

After I have a good grasp on the versus and choruses I'll give the solo a whirl.

I'll try to post a video of my progress tonight.

Good luck!

[ryanowens]

ok, well here is a little bit of progress on the intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSIOAc81oaA

I may need help with the last bar if anyone has it worked out yet.

[-Timothy-]

Support!!!!

I may check out those songs and join the group!

[janekbass]

Swunk was the first solo I ever transcribed I think.......

[jazzcrime]

Originally Posted by ryanowens

ok, well here is a little bit of progress on the intro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSIOAc81oaA

I may need help with the last bar if anyone has it worked out yet.

i think you need to unprivate the video for us to see ryan.


EDIT:
think i figured out the bit you're talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Idwt5_cul4

[ryanowens]

OK, I re-did my version of the intro with what I think is the right part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR7GXLITHds

[jazzcrime]

still definitely a lot of work to do - but here's some progress:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35dvd7Y_BXc

[Jaydin Nathan]

Would you guys recommend starting off transcribing Miles Davis' solos?
I've already done a few Percy Heath/Paul Chambers transcriptions for walking bass, but solos seem to be a different animal.

[ryanowens]

Here is my first attempt at the solo section.

This is just the first 6 bars and at this rate it may take me forever to get through the whole solo

I am playing this at 96 BPM and the tune is recorded at around 101 so I slowed it down just a bit to try to get it under my fingers.... I think I should have taken it down a bit more for the video but I'll keep working it up to speed slowly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDIiohDYSYU


Ryan

[jazzcrime]

Originally Posted by TheJaydin

Would you guys recommend starting off transcribing Miles Davis' solos?
I've already done a few Percy Heath/Paul Chambers transcriptions for walking bass, but solos seem to be a different animal.

i did miles davis on 'autumn leaves' a while ago and that was a GREAT solo to transcribe. fantastic phrasing, space, melodic ideas and use of the blues. you'll get a lot out of something like that. having said that, you'll probably get a lot out of anything you transcribe from miles.

[metalstorm]

I am taking a crack at miles davis' solo on so what. I will post a video when i finish it tomorrow.

[jazzcrime]

dexter gordon on 'there will never be another you' transcription i did about a year ago... this ain't perfect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8ezigp5Jqg

[ryanowens]

Here is a quick clip of the first 8 bars of Confirmation. I learned it one day a few years ago, but this time I plan on finishing the head and maybe getting into Charlie Parkers solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBxJEXMOvvc

[ryanowens]

kinda funny that I worked several hours and only have 18 seconds worth Charlie Parker to show for it

Hopefully as I keep getting into it the phrases will happen faster..... or not.....