Re: Beginner transcription...

reed ( (no email) )
Sat, 28 Dec 1996 14:33:29 +0000

At 03:09 PM 12/28/96 -0600, you wrote:
>Mitch Brink wrote:
>
>> Who is the best pianist to listen to for transcription purposes? Bill
>> Evans seems to deviate too far from the melody, and Oscar is, well,
>> nearly impossible to imitate.
>
>While I think the Chet baker recommendation is a good one, I think anyone
>you like is a good place to start. You don't have to transcribe an entire
>solo to get some mileage out of doing transcription. I think of multiple
>levels of transcribing, from learning a lick or two (not writing it out),
>to copying an entire album- bass, drums, etc. While whole solos are a
>terrific source of study, often one ends up using just a fraction of what
>was learned in their improv. OTOH, sometimes learning a simple phrase and
>taking around through different keys and harmonic situations can be a real
>eye opener. I've heard a few Oscar Peterson solos that didn't go all over
>the place, and there are plenty of single line oriented pianists like
>Wynton Kelly, who might be easier to grab onto.
>
>Clay
>
>
>
Everyone has his own approach but....

I don't recommend doing parts of solos.

I think you need to find things that are at a level where you can
do the whole solo.

I use the whole solo because the whole solo is the development
of a 32 bar musical idea, or whatever.

I avoid players that can't play a whole chorus at a high level.

reed

>