Vision Music

[nylenny]

At Mark's suggestion, I have been transcribing regularly. I have to admit, I fought it at first. And it was a slow, painful process. However, after transcribing a little each day for several years, I have noticed benefits, least of which has been the language I've learned from transcription.

Language is everywhere -- books, the internet, etc. So I could have learned licks and lines without transcribing. But there are unique skills garnered from transcription that are hard to get elsewhere.

Most importantly, transcribing makes you a more "genuine" player; transcribers play what they hear. While I can't hear everything I play (before I play it, of course ), some of my lines are from "within," and not solely from a pattern or a book. The percentage increases each day that I transcribe.

I've also noticed an increased ability to listen to others. For example, I can better hear what the bass player is playing or when the drummer play fills to signal an important transition, so I get lost a little less.

I'd be interested in hearing what transcription has done for others.