suggestions for learning parts by ear off cd

[Matt Curtis]

Any suggestions for making this eaiser would help. I start by trying to learn one small section at a time. it is hard for me to remember what i just learned. And it is hard to learn it in the first place.Transcribing the parts would be an abosoulte struggle for me to do.

[Big Jim]

Hi Matt,
I have a device that I purchased from Guitar Center, called BackTrack. I use it frequently for my Bass Guitar. Now I use it on the Sax too. It will record about 30 seconds of a CD. Then you can play it back at 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 speed and then regular speed until you get the parts. then go a little farther and do the same. Seems to work well for me. I think I paid around $ 80 or $ 90.00 for it. Seems a little high, but really worth it. Hope this helps you, I know it has helped me.
God Bless,
Big Jim

[Saxturtle]

Matt,

I used to have trouble transcribing too. Trying to deconstruct the key/time/rhythm all at once is very difficult for me. Try these steps sometime:
1. Write down the notes only (I usually just use dots without any measure markers). This eliminates the variable of which notes to play when going to step 2.
2. Begin attaching tails to those notes from step 1, i.e. start turning them into half/quarter/eighth/sixteenth/too fast for me beyond this... :wink:
3. Count the beats & add the measure bars. Viola! You got a tune!

Also, don't be afraid to scribble down a few phrases on another sheet of staff paper. You can always link ideas together later into one contiguous piece. I'm getting to the point that if I don't write it down I usually can't remember it later!

[Razzy]

I wouldn't recommend using a slow-down machine, but I would recommend you use a CD player that can backtrack certain sections. Just keep listening and trudge through it until you get it is the answer. Perhaps you're starting with too difficult a recording. Go down to something a bit more friendly to the ears so you can build up your ears for the harder ones.

A great example of when I almost resorted to using a slowdown machine or even going and getting an actual transcription was, well, last night! When I was transcribing Coltrane's solo on Giant Steps. In the sixth and seventh measures there are four ascending arpeggios in 8th notes that just baffled me, anyone who's heard this recording probably knows exactly what I'm talking about. I finally got it after really intense, focused listening but more importantly, stopping the recording another 2 8th notes into the lick each time I listened to it, so that I could focus on one interval at a time, rather than just hearing the whole thing blazing by several times (kind of like reading, if you just skim a sentence as fast as you possibly can over and over, you'll never be able to rewrite it, you've gotta stop at every few words and then look over to the paper you're writing on). Then I looked at the chords I had transcribed and the arpeggios made perfect sense withing the chords! Since that "breaking point" the rest of the solo has become a bit easier, but I'm still trudging through it!

[Matt Curtis]

Thanks for the advice. Since posting this I have learned most of the parts. It is much eaisr for me to learn them on my horn by ear than trying to write them down.The sad part is I am going to have to quit this band I am learning them for because I can't be around cigarette smoke any more during the gigs because it is too hard on my sinuses and probably my health as well. I will have to play smoke free venues only. oh well I do'nt think it was a waste of my time.

[Razzy]

Oh yea, definitely play it on the horn first to check your work! That's a great way to learn solos too: by ear is the only way they really stick with you. Same goes for tunes, changes, scales, patterns...

[Big Nick]

1. Write down the notes only (I usually just use dots without any measure markers). This eliminates the variable of which notes to play when going to step 2.
2. Begin attaching tails to those notes from step 1, i.e. start turning them into half/quarter/eighth/sixteenth/too fast for me beyond this... icon_wink.gif
3. Count the beats & add the measure bars. Viola! You got a tune!

That's interesting. These days I usually do it in exactly the reverse order to this.
If I'm working on, say, an 8 measure section I'll write 8 blank measures. Then I'll write the rhythm and finally fill in the notes.
If there are obvious easy bits I'll write those into the blank measures first. It's easier to transcribe the hard bits if you know exactly how much space they'll take up.
As a variation, sometimes I'll go through all 8 measures and write in the note that's sounding at the beginning of each. Also if I know, or can work out, the chord sequence then I'll write it in first.

[Saxturtle]

Big Nick,

Actually I have done just what you've described. I suppose it depends
upon the nature of the solo, but more telling is the quality of the recording
and specifically the clarity of the accompaniment in the recording whether or not I deconstruct the rhythm or the tones first. One BIG thing I left out of step 1 to which Razzy also refers: Make sure you have you horn handy to verify those notes as you write 'em down![/quote]