>In fact If I hear a really good example and don't recognize the record,
>it always turns out to be a new re-issue of a long out of print
>album.
>
>I believe this is because people are learning improvisiation from
>books or school and not taking the time to transcribe.
>
>40 years ago there were no books so everybody transcribed but now
>people don't see why they have to.
(snip)
>In fact one of the things I've learned from transcribing is how
>well thought out every note and phrase is, even if they are playing
>very fast.
>
>reed
>
I don't know zip about transcribing or theory but I think there is a bit
more to what you said above. 40 years ago solos where short and very
effective. Each note was "well thought out". Today often people take
4,5,6, or more choruses and still don't say much. Maybe they don't have
much to say or maybe they confuse verbosity with communication.
I'm a wanna be guitar player (been wanting to be for almost 40 years). I
listen to Oscar Moore's solos with the Nat King Cole Trio and turn green
with envy. Nothing unnecessary added and nothing essential left out. Barney
in the 50's and early 60's was the same way as was Hall.
Now the question for me is how do I do that? Do I need guide tones, shells,
or altered-altereds? When I try to learn licks, phrases or what ever from
the CDs and tapes I can often apply them, perhaps with minor changes, to my
own improv but I sure can't generate them like the masters before me did.
Harry