Should You Transcribe? | A Simple 4-Step Method for Truly Internalizing Jazz Vocabulary

[@EvanTateMusic]

Hey Noah! This is EXACTLY what I’ve discussed with my students for years! I’ve done very little transcribing due to the realization that I actually used only about 10% of those solos. I spent more time listening and “cherry pick “ the licks I loved and only transcribed and reworked those. The reworking the lick I had learned from an interview with Greg Osby (who by the way, transcribed a lot of piano solos in his day). Great stuff Noah!

[@willsims5477]

I love this advice. In fact, when I was studying "What is This Thing Called Love" my piano teacher took me to Open Studio's super chorus and it featured different solos of pianist who played this tune. I believe it was Oscar Peterson, Errol Garner, and another pianist as well.

[@DanielLizzama]

Great Tutorial Noah

[@Fabrizio.deitos-navalesi]

That step 4 is just a gold nugget! Thanks a lot for this tip... Can't even understand why, over all those years, I haven't thought of this! 😅

[@rolandcarter1348]

I will add to the conversation that I think transcribing and playing a whole solo at times can be an interesting technical exercise. One thing that Wallace Roney used to do is play Miles Davis’ ESP solo daily as a jazz etude of sorts. For me, I learn solos and integrate about 25% into my jazz vocabulary, but mostly I enjoy learning full solos as technical and listening challenges.

[@nkmc2011]

It took years for me to figure out steps 1-3 , and step 4 is the logical advancement to them. Thanks!

[@davidrumpler5528]

Another great video lesson as always! You provide some of the best jazz piano education content on the internet! The "expansion" aspect was a particularly good tip! I agree with what you had to say about transcribing, especially given most people's time limitations. Still, there are some good reasons for occasionally transcribing an entire solo. There _are_ a few solos by jazz greats that are brilliant from beginning to end. One or two of those would be worth anyone's time. The other thing about transcribing an entire solo (presuming that you like substantial portions of it) is that sometimes you don't get your "mind blown" until _after_ you transcribe it! I remember that happening to me several times, where I originally thought something was simple and uninteresting until I had to write it down. Also, by transcribing an entire chorus, you get to see how the improvisor is "telling a story". When I first started transcribing , I only did first choruses. At some point I realized that the second chorus is often at a whole other level of development! So you want to, at some point, transcribe a solo with at least two choruses to understand the concept of melodic development over two choruses. The other good thing about writing things down is that it helps you get better at writing things down (a useful skill for a teacher or arranger). That said, you are right!....the simplest and fastest way to get started is with 4-bar and 8-bar phrases...utilizing those in new ways...as you explained so well. Thank you again for these amazing videos!

[@karenstephens2047]

I totally agree David !

[@willsims5477]

I like to listen or read (if I am transcribing or studying a transcription) a lick and see what I can come up on my using the same rhythmic notation.

[@perrotjeanmichel5883]

Thank you, Noah

[@Mr24Adventures]

That video made me from yeah there's so much i need to make my second nature(even like be able to play something out of raw theoretical concepts) to yooooo i am playing some jazz finally. And i think the theory would be like just put onto these practise and(what im just trying to say)you kinda make me from complete jazz newbie to actually feeling that i can and am playing jazz and being a part of that community finally! Hope that makes sense. You just made my music journey. I swear. So great tutorials, and i am just going through 101 playlist and think im gonna stick to you till the end of 401 just like i would do completing education in conservatory or smth(i am almost complete self taught pianist and actually am a vocalist in the first place but want to comprehend the beauty of the music as we are making ours with my good friend who is more into sound producing and hope we are gonna make it) Just want to thank you so much. You are my absolute hero there. Thanks so much it made me so much sense since i watched this video feels like years of searching for the information and practical application is finally bearing me some fruits(i guess i interpreted the though right as i am non-english guy but really trying to become such haha). Thank you again sir. You are doing so great work and so useful i just feel like i am getting more and more competent in jazz from absolute newbie, and i think i am not the only one having huge advantage out of these beautiful and so well explained lessons. The fact that we can have them for free is an absolute blessing. Huge respect and hope if i am going to make it in a music(and i really want to become a worldwide celebrity) i will always remember you as my first grand teacher. And i think jazz is the most complex out of all music genres(not saying some crazy unpopular ones like atonal which is kinda evolving from jazz) and if you truly comprehend it you will able to play and grasp others fully and with ease i think. Ok, thanks for attention, wish you good luck and health. Piece. Upd: i didn't even think of such importance of simple transcribing and that it can be so helpful and which is main soo systematic and approachable and understandable.

[@theoooms7277]

Transcribing always seems such a huge and impossible task to me so I,ve always been avoiding it to be honest but I like this approach. Thanks for sharing!

[@NoahKellman]

No problem, Theo. Hope this helps!

[@rvangaal]

Great video! As for slowing down music, I usually do use Spotify. On Windows I turn on the 'Stereo-mix' device in my audio setting, then in 'Transcribe!' I record this audio as I play on Spotify. After that, I have a .wav file with the computer audio output (so hopefully no notifications come by) and can then more easily slow it down at 50 or even 40 percent without too much quality loss.

[@barrylyndongurley]

Noah is a remarkable teacher.

[@bobzuck3733]

This is so great. You are way out in the lead, amazing human. What a concept, to excerpt instead of repeat verbatim.

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, Bob 🙏🙏

[@karenstephens2047]

Hi Noah. I love that you encourage those of us with some physical limitations!!! and you turn them into a positive!! You are a remarkable teacher. I love transcribing. I find the licks naturally slip into my impro just like you suggest! Keep going please!!! 😀🎹🎵

[@justinlaboy6837]

my old band director made us sing lines we were having trouble with, too. my secret: music speed changer app

[@NoahKellman]

Oh nice, thanks Justin. Will check that app out.

[@gingerbreadmangangafarmer2251]

Anytune app is good too

[@ryanaudy6533]

Wow this video was a game changer and relieved my guilt over never wanting to transcribe entire solos. Thanks Noah!

[@NoahKellman]

hahah very glad to hear that Ryan! I know what you mean. I used to feel guilty about it too, but after doing it a few times, I began to realize everything I mentioned in this video...

[@laszlomanuelpinter]

@@NoahKellman This stuff actually makes perfect sense (thumbs up). Just like learning to speak, we imitate bits and pieces and then use the overheard words/phrases in different situations. Same thing!

[@DonyaLane]

@@laszlomanuelpinter , that's a perfect analogy! It's all about building vocabulary and then applying it to our lives.

[@evans34]

Excellent video Noah - agree with everything you said.

[@ianmoore5502]

This guy is an absolute pro

[@davaxschinko]

Was writing out passes today, later sat down and this video popped up...step2: the singing of the notes and chords was helpful because I hadn't thought much of it and it connected the score, the tones, my mind and voice. It seems to work. Thanks Noah.

[@danielche2349]

Love this. Thanks

[@obisraelngawani1373]

can you give me your method to score a Fast melody or a fast solo line?

[@austinpayne5643]

Fantastic teacher 💯💯💯blessed to be able to work with you ! Thank you for all the resources you have for us here on KZbin .

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, Austin! Appreciate that man. Been a pleasure working with you too, and you're welcome. Glad all this stuff is helping people out!

[@alp9020]

I was waiting for this one ! 👍

[@NoahKellman]

Hope it helped!

[@gustavtomzak-steenberg6187]

Great video. How do i transcribe voicings though?

[@andygjata]

I have perfect pitch and transcribing solos has always been relatively easy, even if it's the first time I hear it, but integration and being the one that has the duty of playing a good solo has always been a problem. It's easy to get lost on the theme and hard to sound confident and decided, therefore my soloing always sounds boring. I admire Cory Henry for example for being able to improvise the way that he does.

[@Dannytyrellstudios]

Very sensible...Yes rhythm and singing are great! I think the fluid players do exactly this then they become themself. Undoing a person that CUTS AND PASTES their licks...Yes in the end it is a commjunication that comes frpm US...make it your own

[@garybennett2946]

This was a great video, Noah. Very, very helpful and enlightening. Thank you.

[@NoahKellman]

You're welcome, Gary!

[@yudipitre5720]

Excellent video, great advice I haven't heard anyone give this advice. Thank you from a beginner.

[@christopherellis2663]

3:44 what is the difference between a method and a methifology?

[@christofferdanielwalle4630]

One word...Lifesaver!!!!🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks Christoffer!

[@moneyDev1111]

the link join jazz etc opens a blank site with an "untitled" title. but if you copy and paste it then it works ok.. smth is wrong with youtube redirection or maybe smth on my side...

[@mixbygygyondbeat1295]

Wow great video, u have my subscribtion. What app or software do you use in transcribing?

[@candacekay97128]

There's a freebie app called Amazing Music Slowdowner, it works really well and you can play Spotify through it.

[@SuperDenon]

Great! Thank you

[@NoahKellman]

You're welcome!

[@williewilliams8612]

Is there a way to slow down the solo,other than You Tube,it tends to go out of phase,or hard to decipher slowed down past 75 speed

[@PlayBetterJazz]

This is the way. Transcribing entire solos is a mistake and way too much for the brain to remember. I used to do that when I started out. Plus it reinforces learning in “classical” way. Glad to hear you expand on this topic and demystify transcribing. It’s all about taking small manageable chunks of what you like and playing it in all 12 keys and applying to tunes!

[@pjotrkolster]

Hey Noah, I got a request. Could you maybe try to analyse Willie 'The Lion' Smith's playing? He's My favourite Stride pianist and I'd love to see your take on his techniques.

[@kosolapovlev6029]

a MUCH better way to slow down music is to download a track and load it in your DAW as a sample. I use Ableton's "complex pro" warp algorithm to slow down solos: it rarely produces artifacts and the notes become much clearer than on KZbin

[@TommyPleasure]

Great post! Right, esp for newbies, KZbin is harder because of the artifacts!

[@xKumei]

I'd say the biggest problem I've been doing as a beginner transcriber is not audiating. If you just replay the piece over and over and try to write down a note at a time, you are going to have a bad time. At least put a part of it into your working memory so you can just replay it in your head.

[@nataliepilipczak6128]

Video starts at 1:46

[@yanjames2104]

Mr.Kellman. My piano teacher calls it "link" instead of "lick". Which one is right?

[@SeanTheDiscoNinja]

Lick.

[@juwonnnnn]

👍

[@AmatriceBand]

Mr god. Please spare time in my life to practice all this 🤦‍♂️😂

[@ВикторК-к1э]

МНОГО ГОВОРИШЬ... ТЫ ПОКАЗЫВАЕШЬ КАКОЙ ТЫ УМНЫЙ ИЛИ МОЖЕТ НАДО ПОКАЗАТЬ МЕДЛЕННО

[@papariello]

parli troppo e poca teoria

[@Фрезеровка-ю4ъ]

Много базаришь

[@user-xedwsg]

for someone who talk about being efficeint and not wasting time you sure did waste a lot of time with that long ass intro