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Transcribing as an Overall Approach

 
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nylenny



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291

PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:07 am    Post subject: Transcribing as an Overall Approach Reply with quote

After transcribing daily for several years, it finally hit me; transcribing is THE overall approach to learning music.

Everything I now learn, I endeavor to approach by ear. Whether it be memorization, learning new pieces, or finding lines to go over progressions. This has made my practicing efficient, because I am no longer doing specific "exercises." Also, more of my practice time is now using my "ear" with some intensity.

Some specifics: I review material by playing along with recordings. I study theory by transcribing the Good Vibes Guitar Solos series. I practice reading by writing out things I hear. I learn new tunes by transcribing the bass line.

I'm curious if others have reached this realization.
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Larry_DC



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 207

PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Transcribing as an Overall Approach Reply with quote

nylenny wrote:
After transcribing daily for several years, it finally hit me; transcribing is THE overall approach to learning music.


It took a long time for it to sink in, but I finally arrived at the same conclusion. It happened when I noticed that some of the lines and techniques I parroted for months began to creep their way into my playing. If you're transcribing every day you must be making tremendous progress.
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nylenny



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291

PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Larry_DC said:

Quote:
If you're transcribing every day you must be making tremendous progress.


Not as fast as I'd like! Very Happy I'm finding that I'm making the most progress when I transcribe areas of weakness -- like bass lines. I did make a big jump about a month after I came to the realization that transcribing should permeate everything I do. Then my transcribing activities jumped to about 70% of my practice time (depending on how you define transcribing -- I'm including playing along with solos I already know in my definition).
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nylenny



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291

PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Larry, I should add that I've discovered some tricks to increase the amount of time I'm spending on transcribing.

For example, I try to practice classical guitar technique every day. So I play along with a Good Vibes solo while stressing a particular right hand fingering (imim, amam, etc).

I hit my theory practice with the Good Vibes solos -- I play along with a solo slowly (and I rotate the solos I play along with daily), while identifying how each note relates to the harmony (3rd, 5th, etc), and I try to see the underlying CAGED shape beneath the riff.

To review repetoire, I play along with recorded versions (for example, I review Blue Monk playing along with the Thelonius Monk recording). Once I got organized with this method, it became a lot easier than it sounds.

It also helps to keep a journal, so that you rotate what you're working on. The trick for me is to try to nail all this stuff in a reasonable period of time every day.
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nylenny



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291

PostPosted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The other secret I've discovered to getting a lot done in a short timeframe (I am always pressed for practice time) is to hit as many things as possible at once. For example, I will transcribe a Good Vibes solo while analyzing the theory, trying to memorize the progression, hitting a specific technique area (like relaxing my hands) and thinking about chord shapes all at once. It is mentally exhausting, but it squeezes a lot of work into a short time frame.
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Larry_DC



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 207

PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nylenny wrote:
I play along with a solo slowly (and I rotate the solos I play along with daily), while identifying how each note relates to the harmony (3rd, 5th, etc)


Yep, organization is crucial. My method isn't quite as broad, but I do determine specific goals then map out measurable steps to reach them.

Identifying how each note relates to harmony is something I'm working on all the time. It's interesting to hear a modern jazz student discuss "avoid" tones, only to find examples of the masters using them to great effect.
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nylenny



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 291

PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The avoid tones are the best! Especially b7 over a major seventh chord!
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Larry_DC



Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 207

PostPosted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And the natural 7th over a dominant.
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