Writting out rhythms

[bassjamm]

Hi Janek,

Finally got around to listening to some solos and transcribing them...starting with Miles Davis' Trumpet solo on So What from the Kind of Blue album.

I'm struggling to write it out though, mainly as i've never been that good at sight reading, in specific, reading/writting rhythms. I've no problem writting the notes, but i wondered whether you had any tips on how to make sure i've got the rhythms writting correctly.

I can obviously play the rhythms i'm working out, but i can't read well enough to know whether i'm writting them out well enough.

Any tips, counting suggestions? I might be able to get my hands on a Sibelius, i guess if i wrote it into there, then i could play it back and hear whether the rhythms are correct or not, but i'd rather get a more disciplines approach if possible!!!

Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated...also, any thoughts on how to go analysing solos, getting into them???!!! I've picked So What as the chords behind it are fairly simple, so i know it's based on the Dorian mode in C major, i figured i'd at least know that and go from there. But any thoughts on how to recognise other uses of modes, or anything like that...i'd be appreciative!

Thanks again for making yourself available to us on here.

Jamie

[JimmyM]

Write it out and have someone proofread it for you. You can use Sibelius, but I think that writing it out is much more rewarding when you're just transcribing solos. That's my opinion. Janek probably has some good ideas as well, but maybe this'll tide you over till he answers.

[bassjamm]

Hey Jimmy, thanks for the reply. Yeah, i've thought about doing this, but i don't know of anyone who can read well enough to proof it, so i don't think this is an option. Or rather, i don't think i know of anyone who can look at it any time soon, perhaps when i've finished the transcription then yeah...i'll have a look into it though...thanks!

[janekbass]

The only way to understand the theory of writing down rhythms is to study that aspect of the music. You can buy basic theory books that will talk about not values, writing rhythms, and general notation.

In the UK for instance there is a grade exam system from 1-8 for instrumentalists. and part of being able to take exams 6-8 is a requirment for music theory Grade 5.

There's no easy way around learning a new aspect of music. And in this case for you it's the theory of notation. Buy the basic books, and take it from there.

Easy,

Janek

[6stringbassist]

Get some books that have transcriptions for songs that you know, and just follow the transcription, play along to it, that's.... I found anyway, a great way to improve the writing out of a transcription, you get to hear and see a rhythm that you can play.

Have you got the book 'Standing in the shadows of motown', that's an excellent book for learning how to recognize written rhythms, and then know how to write the ones that you've picked up from your transcriptions.

Another way is to break down the piece in to one bar sections, write out the whole notes first, and then fill in the gaps, with rests and shorter notes, just remembering that it needs to total 4 (in a 4/4 piece anyway).

Or just go to a music teacher, any instrument will do, and study with them, just for this aspect of your musical education, a drum teacher would be great.

Mike Stern studies with a piano teacher.

[bassjamm]

Thanks guys. I know what you mean about the theory books Janek, i have a grade 5 one already, and i've just bought a grade 8 bass book to work through...guess it's just a case of doing it!

6Stringbassist...thanks, i'd not thought of reading lines that i already know, that seems like a smart way to go about it!

So far what i've been doing it going through what i've worked out so far and working out which notes lie on the first beat of each bar, i guess i could also try and listen in a similar manner for what lies on the other beats of the bar, but it's hard! So far i think i've written it out ok, all the bars add up at least I'm looking at getting regular lessons anyway, with a jazz guitarist highly respected on the scene here in the UK...guess thated help

Thanks again guys.

Jamie

[anon_6j591b0]

Originally Posted by janekbass

There's no easy way around learning a new aspect of music. And in this case for you it's the theory of notation. Buy the basic books, and take it from there.

One of the best books is Louis Bellson's Modern Reading Text in 4/4. Spend 20 to 30 minutes a day of focused practice with this and you will see big improvement sooner than you might think. Since it's just rhythmic figures it's something you can work with very effectively away from an instrument too.

[bassjamm]

Thanks for that suggestion.