[atticbase]

I'm in the process of transcribing one of my favorite solos, and I have everything down except for this fast run part. I try slowing down the recording but then it gets difficult to hear the different notes in the lower registers.
I'm wondering how you guys go about this process? Thanks.

 

[Pete Thomas]

A transcribing program such as Transcribe should allow slowing down without too much degradation of signal of pitch change.

I have also had success recording to logic then honing in on one note at a time in the audio editor. You can probably do that in any DAW or even basic ones such as Audacity.

 

[CluelessEPA]

Yes, Transcribe works for me. It's a $50 US download from Seventhstring music (or something close). Great play along practice aid also with infinite variations in speed (up to %100).

 

[mmichel]

I like Transcribe too, more for the easy bookmarking and looping capability than for the ability to slow down.

The main issue in transcribing generally is getting the notes down in your head/ear. I find that speed of the run per se is not usually the problem. It's the duration is too short (i.e., within the context of a 5 minute solo) to get it into your ear.

After looping the run and listen to it over and over in isolation--even at speed--I find that I can usually get the notes in my ear, so that I can sing and transcribe them.

 

[swperry1]

Audioscrub is a cheap app...I maybe paid $2.99 when I got it? I never use it because transcribing whole solos isn’t productive for me, but you can set up loops, slow it down without pitch change, and it works well on iphone...probably android too. A lot of times the fast licks are just hobble gob and programmed filler licks/ patterns between good ideas that are worth learning and adding to your vocabulary. Going to hear live jazz that’s playing note-for-note the work of others is boring for me...might as well go to the symphony and hear some classical repertoire. Perhaps “jazz is dead” because it’s become more of an academic exercise than an expression of on the spot creative conversation.

 

[mmichel]

A lot of times the fast licks are just hobble gob and programmed filler licks/ patterns between good ideas that are worth learning and adding to your vocabulary. Going to hear live jazz that's playing note-for-note the work of others is boring for me...might as well go to the symphony and hear some classical repertoire. Perhaps "jazz is dead" because it's become more of an academic exercise than an expression of on the spot creative conversation.

Gee, thanks for the editorial.

Note, however, that the OP didn't indicate that he's transcribing jazz solos. He may well be, but there's a lot of non-jazz music out there that includes fast/technical runs.

 

[norcalto]

I recently discovered you can slow down songs on youtube. If you click on the gadget icon, there is an option for "playback speed". You can slow it down to .5 rate, and it will still sound good. Just allows you to work on your ear a bit.

 

[swperry1]

Gee, thanks for the editorial.

Note, however, that the OP didn't indicate that he's transcribing jazz solos. He may well be, but there's a lot of non-jazz music out there that includes fast/technical runs.

Gee, Thanks for being an *** hole.

Note, However, that what I said could apply to any solo in any genre and that I didn't mention jazz until the editorial part that triggered your ******** response.