First solo to transcribe?

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Bach5G
Posts: 2874
Joined: Apr 07, 2018

by Bach5G »

Let’s assume you finally bought transcription software. What jazz solo would you start with? The goal is to improve one’s improvisation skills. Not limited to trombone solos.
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Elow
Posts: 1924
Joined: Mar 02, 2020

by Elow »

I would find something online that’s already transcribed and then transcribe it yourself and compare.
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Rusty
Posts: 470
Joined: Jun 01, 2018

by Rusty »

Have a listen to some Fred Wesley and find a simple one to start with.
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dershem
Posts: 117
Joined: Aug 16, 2018

by dershem »

Find something that inspires you to want to learn from. Something that makes you say "I want to play like that".
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JLivi
Posts: 870
Joined: May 10, 2018

by JLivi »

[quote="Rusty"]Have a listen to some Fred Wesley and find a simple one to start with.[/quote]

Shake Everything You Got on Maceo Parker’s Life on Planet Groove.

I started with JJ Johnson’s Just Friends on Standards Live at the Village Vanguard.

I like starting my students on Curtis Fuller’s Blue Train solo

Just transcribe whatever you want though. Whatever you’re currently digging. It can be a melody, solo, horn line. Whatever!
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Bach5G
Posts: 2874
Joined: Apr 07, 2018

by Bach5G »

I hadn’t really thought of JJ. Seems like a good place to start.
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Shumanbean
Posts: 87
Joined: May 22, 2020

by Shumanbean »

I don't know if you're still looking, but the Steve Davis side, Correlations, has a lot of tasty, modern playing that hasn't departed from JJ/Curtis Fuller tradition. Give it a listen, if you haven't already.
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Matt_K
Posts: 4809
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

A couple of very common ones are Miles Davis "So What" and Lester Young in "Lester Leaps In". Curtis Fuller on Blue Train is also pretty approachable.
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Arrowhead
Posts: 123
Joined: Jun 07, 2018

by Arrowhead »

It can be anything. It doesn't even have to be a trombone solo. Just find something you like and go for it. If you have a buddy, have them listen to it and then analyze your transcription.