Transcription or sheet music first?

[biscuitz]

greetings to all TBers!

I've started learning music for about 2yrs and glad to have my bass as the instrument. I've been told that besides working on the basics, expanding vocabulary is a very important thing for bassist to work on. And when it comes to this topic, i can think of 2 ways, which are transcription and playing sheet music. My problem is that i found it so hard to transcribe songs just by ear(and i usually have a chord chart with me when do so, to get some clue). When the music get louder and louder, sounds start to blend together and i can hardly recognize the sound of a particular instrument in the band. I wonder if it would be better to first work on sheet musics to get some basic vocab, and then with that basic amount of vocab base, i can start transcription more easily. What do you think?

 

[elgecko]

Are you saying you're transcribing (notating notes, rhythms, etc) without knowing how to read those notes, rhythms, etc? You definitely need to know how to read it before you write it.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I rely upon chord charts and never try to transcribe by ear. Why? Well 99.9% of the time I can find a chord chart on any song we play. And are my efforts more correct than what I can pull up on the Internet? Perhaps, perhaps not, but, it sure is quicker. Google using these key words; Chords, "name of the song" and see what comes up.

Chord charts are so easy to find that is the way I go. Once you have a chord chart what do you do with it? The following will go into detail. Post # 14 of How to get started? | TalkBass.com

Once you have someone singing the song recite (sing) the lyrics with the vocalist and sound a note per lyric syllable. That will pretty much do it.

G.....G..G......G...C...G
Hap-py birth-day to you.​

Once you have the chord chart you may want to change, or add a chord, nothing keeping you from doing that.

Good luck.

 

[Mushroo]

Generally speaking it is most rewarding to target that which is most difficult for you, because removing obstacles gives huge rewards. So, if you are having problems with transcribing by ear, then you should spend time every day working on that skill. What most people don't realize is that slamming one's head against a brick wall is not the only way to improve this skill. There are courses, books, CDs, DVDs, etc. with tested methods to quickly improve this skill. I used to think being able to play by ear was a skill that people were either born with or not born with, and I wasn't born with it so why bother trying? But then I signed up for an adult education class at my local music conservatory. We met after work one night a week for the semester and practiced our ear training and transcription skills in a supportive group environment. Another really good exercise is to get some sheet music, and then follow along while you are listening to the CD. For example you could check out from the library the complete score to Beethoven's 5th Symphony and follow along as each instrument weaves in and out of the sonic tapestry. This is how I learned English (my parents read out loud to me while I tried to make sense of the letters on the page) and I think it is also a good way to learn the language of Music.

 

[LeeNunn]

I agree that transcription and sheet music are great ways to expand your musical vocabulary. By musical vocabulary, I assume you mean gaining familiarity with chord progressions, rhythms, and melodic ideas to the point that you can hear then in your head and play them. The greater your vocabulary, the greater your ability to communicate musically when playing with our musicians. Just like any language. Building vocabulary is especially important if you want to venture beyond root five patterns or even arpeggiating chords.
Sheet music is easy, but finding sheet music that notates bass lines by bass players can be tough to find. Most sheet music seems to be geared to keyboard players and simplifies the bass line. One of the best sources for accurate bass sheet music is here on TB.
Transcribing is difficult but it does get easier with practice. Mushroo, I'm curious to know more about resources for learning how to do this. I'm a completely self-taught transcriber. Having software that suits your needs is a start (i.e., any of the loop and slow down software). Knowing the chords helps (as you point out, OP). Starting out with easy songs (or songs that you already know) might help. An instructor would help, but my guess is that not all instructors emphasize this skill. If you post a transcription here on TB and ask for feedback, I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses. If you're not comfortable with posting a transcription, sent me a PM and I'll try to help.
In terms of needing to know how to read before you can transcribe (to elgecko's point), I knew the basics of music notation from a high school music theory course. I brushed up with Hal Leonard's Harmony and Theory book. However, I couldn't translate the notation into my brain and on to my fingers quickly enough. Reading rhythm was just as challenging as the pitches. Transcribing and sight reading exercises are complementary skills. The more I do of one, the better I get at the other. Especially 16th note patterns. Practicing these 16th note patterns with a metronome has improved my performance too.
I'm still on the journey. I'll never get there, but the scenery is nice along the way.

 

[Mushroo]

Transcribing is difficult but it does get easier with practice. Mushroo, I'm curious to know more about resources for learning how to do this. I'm a completely self-taught transcriber.

I agree 100%. In my case, it is interesting to note that I was able to graduate with a music degree from a reputable college, despite having inferior listening/transcription skills. Years later as a grown man, I decided to do something about it, and I signed up for an adult-ed class at New England Conservatory. It was very reasonably priced, and the instructor was a top-tier pianist/composer/arranger. For me and my personality, I loved the group-lesson setting. Seeing the other students struggle the same as me, and everyone pushing each other to get better, was a big confidence booster. My advice to you would be, contact your local conservatory or community college and seek out an instructor with a good reputation in the skills you are trying to learn.

 

[Jon Moody]

I rely upon chord charts and never try to transcribe by ear. Why? Well 99.9% of the time I can find a chord chart on any song we play.

That's a lazy approach, and a counter-intuitive response to the OP. Being able to make your own chord charts is a valuable skill that will save you time, as well as teach you - and your ears - to figure out where chords are going to lead naturally, without looking at a sheet of paper to tell you where you should go.

To @biscuitz, both transcribing and being able to read sheet music are great and while not completely necessary, are going to give you more knowledge and understanding than just winging it. I'd say to learn to read sheet music first, as that's going to also help you with ear training (to allow you to pick those chords out from those songs where everything "bleeds together") as well as theory (so you can differentiate between a major, minor chord or when the bass isn't playing the root). Once you have a good idea of that, start making your own chord charts. Once you get more comfortable and confident, then start transcribing basslines.

 

[lfmn16]

I wonder if it would be better to first work on sheet musics to get some basic vocab, and then with that basic amount of vocab base, i can start transcription more easily. What do you think?

It's not either/or - you can do both. I would recommend a program called Transcribe! to help you transcribe tunes (or similar program). It's very inexpensive, and I've used it for several years and found it helpful. I have no connection with this product other than the fact that I use it.

As much as I dislike tab, if you are really stuck, you may look at it to help you get through a tune. Be aware that you still have to use your ears because few tabs are 100% accurate and some are just awful. If you want to learn to transcribe though, give that a good honest try before you start looking at tab.

Good luck. Good reading skills and a good ear will help you tremendously.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I learn everything by ear and rarely turn to a tab or chart. I find I commit a song to memory much better by learning them myself. The best tip I can give you for doing so is to learn your intervals. Learn to recognize the sonic distance between the notes and not just name them. Sing them whenever possible for maximum gain. I assure you with 100% certainty that your ear improves dramatically within a month or two.

Basic Intervals | Intervals | StudyBass

 

[mambo4]

 

[enricogaletta]

As some previous comment, I highly suggest to learn at least a bit of reading, even if there are some "experimental way" to transcribe music, in my opinion "in the real life" they doesn't work in the 70& of case. A great start will be to start just with rhythm reading that can be 80% helpful when you need to write down some music.
Cheers. Enrico