Transcribing by ear

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Transcribing by ear

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Haydn

Posts: 59
Joined: Jan. 29 2011

Transcribing by ear

Currently I'm running low on material to practise, and whilst I'd love to purchase some quality transcriptions, I lack the funds. So, what better reason to have a go at transcribing a few pieces!

I created this thread in the hopes that some of you would be kind enough to share your transcribing secrets and tips

So, how do you guys all go about it? Where do you start?

If anyone could point me in the direction of a few easier tunes to transcribe (particularly tangos), I'd appreciate it greatly

In return for your help, I'll upload any thing I transcribe (probably quite horrendously), for your entertainment

Cheers,
Haydn

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2011 18:59:43

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: Transcribing by ear (in reply to Haydn)

Hmm in past I transcribed a lot. Only stuff that I would be able to play somehow in near future. And not too fancy stuff coz I have no jazz education. Look for a faseta u love (don´t go for whole pieces thats too exausting and will rather frustrate..) and use a program to slow down the track without changing pitch. Like transcribe or the realplayer does.
Since much stuff is already on youtube nowadays,..I would rather choose stuff I see the guys playing in concert and transcribe that. Its much faster and more accurate since the fingering is most often key to be able to be fast enough and to sound correctly. I hope that helps.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2011 22:21:10

Ricardo

Posts: 14833
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Transcribing by ear (in reply to Haydn)

it's important to pick up on the rhythm. Slowing things down helps but something can be revealed when you go back up to normal speed. I try to get the rhythmic details first by singing along and rewinding over and over till I can get the entire phrase perfectly in compas. Later, apply to the guitar is a matter of getting the correct fingering. Again slowing down might help but strange things happen at slow speed that misrepresent the true thing going on that you need to discover at proper tempo.

You know you have a good transcription when you can actually PLAY the thing on your own.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 13 2011 5:30:02

NormanKliman

Posts: 1143
Joined: Sep. 1 2007

RE: Transcribing by ear (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

...strange things happen at slow speed...

I was having a very hard time figuring out a tremolo that I'd slowed down until I realized that there was a truck outside my window that was making a beeping noise when the driver put it in reverse.

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Be here now.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 13 2011 15:13:18

Paul Magnussen

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 8 2010
From: London (living in the Bay Area)

RE: Transcribing by ear (in reply to Haydn)

IMHO The easiest way is to transcribe CDs is to save the tracks to disk, and them use audio-editing software that shows you the wave-form. That way you can just select it an play it a bit at the time; and if it’s a duet, separate the channels.

I use SoundEdit™ for Mac because it does what I want and I’m used to it, but anything similar will do.

For example, here’s Paco and Ramon’s Abril en Sevilla with the first nine notes of the salida selected: