More Transcription Work

I haven’t had any gigs this summer and to be honest – I’m fine with that. The  lack of performances has allowed me to really evaluate my practice routine and make changes. Listening to  the results of some of my earlier gigs told me that I needed to spend more time in  the woodshed. I hear a few bright spots but I want to build up some vocabulary  and do a better job translating the sounds in my head to notes out of my horn.  I  am working through licks/patterns in all keys but I really need to do more  transcription.

The biggest challenge for transcribing is finding material within my grasp.  Solos that are not too easy and but not so difficult that I get overly  frustrated and miss the fruits of the exercises.  Ideally I’m looking  for phrases that will open my ears to new sounds and approaches to changes. My  slowly growing technique makes that selection difficult. I’ve successfully worked on a few  Chet Baker and Miles Davis tunes. I also tried to tackle Donald Byrd’s first  chorus of Jeannine (from Live at the Half Note Cafe). That one just about killed  me! I barely got through half of it before I bagged it. I’ll definitely have to  come back to it as it’s one of my favorite solos.

One thing that I’ve had some success with is transcribing solos from Jim  Snidero’s Jazz Conception series. I’ve tackled one tune from the  beginner level group (Ryan Kisor plays on the demo tracks) and one from the  intermediate group (played by Jim Rotondi). I don’t use the sheet music – I  listen to the solos on CD and memorizing what is being played. I try to match  what their doing from a style standpoint as well.  Later I’ll go  back and look at the book to see how the solo fits with the changes.  If  there are any really juicy licks that I like, I plan to transcribe them into all  keys.

I really think that my lack of transcription is the missing link in what I’m  trying to do.  It’s also the primary reason for my slow progress.  Most every established player that I  have talked to point to transcription as the most important thing to work on.  In  the words of Clark Terry – “Emulate, Imitate, Innovate.”  Hopefully as I fill that gap in my practice routine I will begin to see even  more improvement.

Surprise Concert

Last Friday while working in the city I walked out of the office shortly after  1PM to grab some lunch.  Being the stereotypical workaholic my plan was to  grab a sandwich from the local deli and eat it my desk while continuing to work.   I took one step out of the door and my ears were immediately drawn to the sweet  sound of a trumpet playing across the street.  How could I resist?  I  abandoned my quest for food and began looking for the source.

It didn’t take long to find it.  A trumpet player and alto player stood  on the corner jamming to jazz standards with a healthy sized audience listening.   Catching street performances is no unusual thing downtown but every now and then  you catch cats who can flat out PLAY.  This was the case for these two  musicians.  Both were excellent and they picked a great spot with regards  to acoustics.  It was like being in the Kennedy Center minus the $50 ticket  charge.  I was especially drawn to the  quality of music being laid down by the trumpeter (yeah, I’m biased).  His  tone on trumpet was fantastic and his sound on flugelhorn was to die for.   He played some really sweet lines on “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Body and  Soul” – lyrical, melodic and natural.  My stomach stopped grumbling as my  spirit was fed with great music.  I could feel the stress of the day wash  out of my body in a slow wave.

After listening to a few tunes I took a moment to talk to the trumpet player.   I really wanted to find out who he was so I could make an effort to catch him  playing around town.  His name was Freddie Dunn.  The cool thing was  we had actually exchange several emails prior to this chance meeting.   Freddie was a really nice and genuine cat.  We talked equipment for a few  moments (I was really curious about his flugelhorn setup) and I’m planning to  come out to a few of his shows in the area.  You can find out more about  Freddie via his website or MySpace site.  As I left I could hear them starting to tear up a minor blues.   I could have sat out there all day. I also couldn’t think of anything but going home and practicing afterwards.

Freddie – thanks for sharing your music with us.  I hope to see you on  the scene soon and I will let you know how that Dennis Wick 3FL matches up with  my flugelhorn.