TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

gridjam · 04-30-2007, 11:39 AM

Interesting question Jon. I did it all and still do. Not so much writing down the solos as I did when I was in my teens and early 20's, but more sitting at the piano picking out melodies and chords or playing along on my trumpet until I get the solo (and my ears) up to snuff. (Have been playing along with the Bird Verve discs as of late).
It's all about ear-training and finding new areas of inspiration for me when I transcribe or play along with something. Sometimes I find weak areas in my time, technique, whatever...I'm not sure how should to interpret what Dave and Joe are saying; are they referring to solos or tunes or all of it? It's pretty safe to say that they had to get their vocabulary from someone, somewhere and that they copied or played along with someone at some point. I don't buy it when people say they never transcribed, that would be like saying that we learned how to say Mama or cookie all by ourselves when we were learning how to talk. I do buy the idea of going for your own voice and that means having the freedom (technically and ear-wise) to execute what you are truly hearing in the moment. If someone is getting ALL of their vocabulary from their transcriptions and not practicing and playing in a way that is creative and free they can end up getting stuck in clone land. I see and hear that a lot! I remember being at the old Birdland (uptown) and hearing a guy play a solo (on the gig) I had just been lifting-note for note, adding nothing of his own voice to it- I got so mad and left.
Not to say that I don't launch into that GREAT and FUN feeling of being Miles or Freddie (or any of the greats I absorbed while disappearing into their recordings) if the moment and the band I'm playing with leads me to it. As far as bebop goes, I do think we should study it; along with every other important style of music that has been documented for us along the way.The modern language you mentioned is a result of all of it and the players you are hearing it in are the result of evolutional playing, NOT recititative playing. Whew- that was long! Lastly, if you hear something and it moves you! Learn it, love it and let it go!

04-30-2007, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
gridjam Pianissimo User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New York Brand: BACH Posts: 146	Re: Jazz, language, and transcribing Interesting question Jon. I did it all and still do. Not so much writing down the solos as I did when I was in my teens and early 20's, but more sitting at the piano picking out melodies and chords or playing along on my trumpet until I get the solo (and my ears) up to snuff. (Have been playing along with the Bird Verve discs as of late). It's all about ear-training and finding new areas of inspiration for me when I transcribe or play along with something. Sometimes I find weak areas in my time, technique, whatever...I'm not sure how should to interpret what Dave and Joe are saying; are they referring to solos or tunes or all of it? It's pretty safe to say that they had to get their vocabulary from someone, somewhere and that they copied or played along with someone at some point. I don't buy it when people say they never transcribed, that would be like saying that we learned how to say Mama or cookie all by ourselves when we were learning how to talk. I do buy the idea of going for your own voice and that means having the freedom (technically and ear-wise) to execute what you are truly hearing in the moment. If someone is getting ALL of their vocabulary from their transcriptions and not practicing and playing in a way that is creative and free they can end up getting stuck in clone land. I see and hear that a lot! I remember being at the old Birdland (uptown) and hearing a guy play a solo (on the gig) I had just been lifting-note for note, adding nothing of his own voice to it- I got so mad and left. Not to say that I don't launch into that GREAT and FUN feeling of being Miles or Freddie (or any of the greats I absorbed while disappearing into their recordings) if the moment and the band I'm playing with leads me to it. As far as bebop goes, I do think we should study it; along with every other important style of music that has been documented for us along the way.The modern language you mentioned is a result of all of it and the players you are hearing it in are the result of evolutional playing, NOT recititative playing. Whew- that was long! Lastly, if you hear something and it moves you! Learn it, love it and let it go!