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Transcribing solos

Jazz musicians will frequently transcribe solos that other musicians have played. Good musicians do this to mimic good jazz style and sound while also learning new melodic ideas for their own solos! 

Suggestions for transcribing

• Start small - one measure at a time if you need to!
• Use any practice tools you have available
• Don't write the solo down---yet. Learn it by ear!

Transcribing tools

• Youtube Videos (slow down in the settings!)
• Tune Transcriber (Works with mp3s and Youtube)
• Amazing Slow Downer (app for iOS and Google Play)

​Growth occurs at the edge of our comfort zone. If you are fully comfortable when you are practicing, then you aren't growing!

Great Solos to Check Out

You've transcribed a solo. Now what?

The road doesn't have to end once you've learned a solo! Here are some things you can do next to put that solo to good use!

• Practice a lick from the solo in ALL 12 KEYS
• Practice improvising while putting a lick from the solo over strategic chords or progressions
• Use a rhythm from the solo as a motive for your next improvisation--improvise using only that rhythm, but whatever notes you want to use!