Vision Music

[John G]

Hey friends,

I was wondering what your preference is for transcribing: a short lick, something longer like a melody or a solo chorus, or maybe even an entire multi chorus solo?

The main reason I ask is that sometimes when I learn an entire solo, I feel like the whole thing doesn't work its way into my playing, just a few licks. It seems like I can only play some licks when leading into them from an earlier part in the solo. However, when I transcribe just a short phrase, it is much easier to incorporate it into my improv at will. This may just be an issue of not fully mastering the solo, though I do always work with the solo until I can play from memory along with the recording (which can be pretty challenging at times).

I remember seeing a post a long time ago where someone advocated learning one solo per week. That seemed like complete overkill to me, I really don't think I would get as much out of that as learning one phrase per week.

I'd like to hear if some of you have the same problem, or maybe even a solution.

John

[Mark]

[Larry_DC]

John,

I transcribe on a regular basis. Sometimes my subject matter is a short phrase or a couple of bars that I can't seem to lift from just listening. Most of the time, though, I select an entire solo that features elements that appeal to me. The individual licks are interesting in themselves, but as Mark said, it's how they are incorporated into the rest of the piece that matters. How did the player set up the approach to this one phrase, and how did it connect to the next one? How did the player develop the theme, ala classical composers?
Learning licks alone is akin to memorizing a sentence from a story without reading what preceded and followed. Then again, there's a huge market for one liners

[nylenny]

Hi John,

I transcribe almost every day. The length of music that I transcribe depends on why I'm transcribing it. It also varies depending on whether I'm transcribing guitar, bass or something else.

Lick based music can be transcribed a lick at a time. For example, rock or blues licks often are just short sound bites. Chord progressions repeat, so you can just figure out a short "phrase" / cadence.

For longer solos -- right now, for example, I'm transcribing a Wes solo -- it's best to do a little each day. I find that if I transcribe 4 to 8 bars a day, I can work on a manageable chunk and understand it. Before you know it, you have learned a whole solo.

Sometimes you are transcribing to improve your "feel." So, if I want to learn about the way Robben Ford grooves and puts together phrases, I will learn the entire solo. Then I play along with it until I can cop the groove (at least at a slow speed).

On bass, I often transcribe small chunks. Many popular bass lines are "hook" based -- for example, Jamerson -- and you don't need to learn the whole tune. By learning parts of the tune and get a great lesson from a master.

[nylenny]

Here's an idea for integrating your transcribing activities:

For each lick you transcribe, ask yourself, "what do I like about this lick?"

It may be a chromatic passing tone. It may be a bend.

By consciously analyzing in this manner, you create a reference point for things you like and want to incorporate in your playing.

[Larry_DC]

[nylenny]

I agree, Larry. Working out solos from different players and drawing conclusions about their playing is like looking at sculpture from different angles. For example, many players use enclosure tones, but each has a different way of doing it.

There is an interesting comment in "100 Tips for Bass Guitar You Should Have Been Told" (Stuart Clayton), where the author says it's potentially harmful to study only one player, because you are only effective when playing in that artist's style. I'd be interested in hearing what you and Mark think about this concept.

[Larry_DC]

[Mark]

[nylenny]

Mark, That's a great point about Wes. thank you.

I also would like to mention that it may be helpful to stay with one mentor for awhile before switching around. Sometimes less is really more.

[Mark]