Stolen Moments - Oliver Nelson Solo Transcription

Transcription and light analysis of Oliver Nelson's tenor sax solo on Stolen Moments, from the album "The Blues and the Abstract Truth".

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

First of all, this IMHO is the definitive version of Stolen Moments. Second, Oliver Nelson's solo is flawless in execution, thematic material, motifs etc., It's an absolute Master lesson in improvisation. Great transcription!

[@amd77j]

Everything you so eloquently wrote! Even as a non-musician I am forever transfixed by this masterpiece! My. Goodness……

[@davesax11]

Absolutely. One of my all time favorites for many years.

[@davesax11]

This is one of my favorite solos of all time. Thanx so much for this. Wonderful to see the analysis. Oliver was of course a genius. I was fortunate to see him perform shortly before his passing.

[@candidlens]

Love this. Would love to see more.

[@MrGeolm]

nice analysis! I love this solo and the climax altissimo A is so beautiful being the 9th of the Gm then 5th on Dm

[@1billiedale]

Love the solo sound. Reminds me of a noir detective movie sound tract.

[@impeter3719]

Im curious about the lick in bar 37, who played it first? Heard Freddie Hubbard play it but forgot what tune it was.

[@jgwmain]

This transcription was clearly transposed from its original key (based on the pop chords that show up and the way it is being notated) (aside from the recording which hasn't changed). Other than that, it was well-written and well-interpreted. Kudos for you.

[@chrisdepino7423]

Genius

[@gurugusguru9724]

please download PDF !!

[@barrycooper4006]

Can you write this for a C instrument? I am a guitarist and I’m way too lazy to transpose!

[@peterkelly8357]

You could practice the piece as written then just move everything down a tone

[@chrishaller8490]

If transposing a simple, lyrical solo down one step is too daunting for you, you'd probably be better off playing another, simpler style of music; Jazz is all about expression in a harmonic environment. This takes study. Transposition and transcription (learning solos by ear) are two of the most effective ways of accomplishing this. The best thing would be to learn the solo by yourself, without the pre-transcribed music. You would learn the most that way about where Oliver Nelson was coming from when he played this solo. Simply transposing the pre-transcribed solo down one step would also give you valuable insight (and enjoyment) that you wouldn't get from just playing the transcribed solo in the concert key. It is unfortunate that people in general are afraid of any kind of discomfort. Discomfort is considered something to be avoided. The fact is that literally anything of value in this world is only gained be going through discomfort. Studying music (or anything else) will be uncomfortable at points, but this is one of the very things that make it so enjoyable. You would not be able to play your guitar well enough to play Oliver Nelson's solo (even the transcription transposed to the concert key) if you had not spent the time and effort (and gone through the discomfort) of practicing it, so you already know what I'm saying is true. If you want a happy, fulfilling life, rather than avoid discomfort, seek it out!

[@barrycooper4006]

@@chrishaller8490 I said I was too lazy not over daunted. I play many jazz tunes from The Real Book. My RB is in C. Other RBs are in Bb (tenor sax, trumpet et al), in Eb (baritone sax, et al) and in bass clef (contrabass, et al). If the RB can write in different keys then other music publishers should. Lastly, I did not appreciate your elitist condescending tone.

[@chrishaller8490]

@@barrycooper4006 My sincere apologies for offending you. I did not mean to sound condescending. All respect to you. I didn't think you were intimidated or over daunted by the prospect of transposing. You are clearly an accomplished musician if you can play that solo. By you saying you were too lazy I understood you just didn't want to put in the effort of transposing and that is exactly what I was addressing. Putting effort toward a thing can (and does) cause discomfort, but the discomfort is not something to avoid, because that is the very avenue that brings the reward, and many people (I would say most) don't make that connection. It's ingrained in our society that ease is good and discomfort is bad. Much advertising is built on that premise and our culture as a whole subscribes to that idea. As musicians, we are not completely subject to that paradigm though, first of all because we play when we work, which many professions can't say. I was just taking it one step further and saying our work is play, uncomfortable sometimes, but that's where the fulfillment and enjoyment lies.

[@jacktomchang9892]

I would suggest learning this particular piece by ear, at night, with the lights off. Use your thumb and set your amp low enough to where you can hear the soloist and only hear your guitar as an afterthought.