More Jazz Learning Resources
Transcription Software
Transcribe! from Seventh String Software. Essential tackle for transcription, easy to use and produced by jazz musicins for jazz musicians. Click on the banner...
Many activities enhance our improvisation, perhaps research through transcription, or further musical investigation through active listening, or the delight of free improvisation or musical sketching. Transcription is perhaps the most often employed, altough students and aspiring musicians frequently under-utilise this activity, generally because they are in too much of a hurry. It is critical that you engage with the process in the right order. Dave Liebman has written extensively on the subject (see the essays "My Philosophy of Education" and the shorter "Summary of the Transcription Process"). My own (very short) advice is as follows:
Transcription
If approached in a complete with regularity and in the 4 stages outlined below, this is probably your most useful tool at this stage in your development.
1.1 Select a solo for its usefulness. Transcribe in 3 stages:
a. Memorise a segment and sing along with recording. Gradually increase up to 8 bars, 16 bars, a chorus. Don’t move on until you have memorized and can sing a whole chorus with and without the CD. This will measure your retention.
b. As (a) on your instrument – with and without the CD.
c. Now transcribe the first chorus, select and write out at least 4 favourite/useful licks. Write at least 4 variations on each one.
d. Memorise the 4 licks and your variations and apply to you daily practice as described in the “2nd visit” - see "On Practicing".
1.2 Transcribe every day.
Transcription Sites
Bill Evans - On A Clear Day (with commentary)
Central Park North Website constructed primarily to promote Canadian jazz music - features transcriptions of Tom Harrell, Miles, Michael Brecker amongst others.
Jazz solo transcriptions - link to published sources
José Menezes Transcriptions, including Liebman, Brecker, Wayne Shorter, Konitz etc.
Kevin Rose Transcriptions including Gary Thomas
Pat Martino - along with Ph.D thesis about Pat Martino
Wes Montgomery - Guitar Tabs and Transcriptions
Relevés de chorus - phenomenal site
Steve Khan - Solo Transcriptions and analysis
Lucas Pickford's Transcription Page - many transcriptions and lead sheets
