Theory vs playing by ear, memorizing tunes, and transcribing solos

Here are few ways I look at simplifying the process of practicing jazz improvisation.
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Bob Reynolds is a 2x Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist known for his work with Snarky Puppy, John Mayer, and 11 solo albums.

[@bobreynolds]

⬇ Download my 7-T Jazz Practice Pyramid-A one-page map to creatively organize your practice time-FREE at jazzpracticepyramid.com

[@itsjoe3109]

‘You don’t give a two year old a book.’ YES, I’m a massive language lover and am about to study a Spanish degree having recently started learning the sax, the number of common methods between the two are infinite, but perhaps the most important is simply listen, absorb, repeat, and continuously and contextually flood your ears with the sounds your trying to learn whilst actively working to understand what they mean in that context. Thanks so much for your videos

[@bzen_music4823]

Being a jazz beginner, I have lots love insecurities and doubts but this video really cleared up lots of them. It’s good to see professionals sharing their learning process. Thank you so much.

[@bobreynolds]

So glad to hear it. Thanks for letting me know. :) Enjoy the process!

[@Machina.M3dia]

I appreciate this, sometimes it gets discouraging (but also inspiring) seeing monster players online who always seem to be killing it. You tend to forget all of the stuff outside of the camera rolling, but hearing from a player of your caliber that you still deal with some of the same things we do is extremely refreshing. Subbed

[@noahlaughaha]

Veritas MAN, it feels good to hear that from someone else. I felt like the only one that thought this. I'm trying to stop using Instagram (Or at least the search page, considering that's mostly what I use Instagram for) because all I see are amazing guitar players over, and over, and over again. It absolutely feels good to hear an amazing player say that they're not perfect.

[@DrLumpy]

Veritas My view is that EVERY musician has to learn, assimilate, become certain processes. And the three processes are simply the three components of music, rhythm, melody and harmony. The instrument in your hands at any given time doesn't define the music, it's YOUR ENVELOPMENT in those three musical concepts that define it right now, as its being played. Most casual musicians, like the email question guy, refuse/block the idea that there's something "Learnable" about music. It's strange, to me, that people can conceive that a surgeon, or bar tender or carpenter is good at his craft because he has practiced a lot. Yet they want to think that music is somehow different. They think good mosos are "Born talented". I've had more than one person say to me " You're really good, you probably don't have to practice anymore". Bottom line here, most people don't get it. The one's that do, succeed as musicians. The one's that don't will be the first to tell you "Well I'm not a REAL musician"

[@edwardpritchard1782]

I am no jazz giant, yet very good at what I do including teaching jazz improvisation. I can't read music. Technique is the nuts and bolts, everything else comes from within. It amazes me when I see some giants play standards without arrangements, from sheet music...ones I've played many times in many ways. Often I hear a song for the first time and before it's end I can play it complete with improve. Sounds like bragging but my experience differs so much from other posts.

[@edwardpritchard1782]

I guess I just don't get it. All the videos, websites, instruction books, play-along C Ds, transcribed solos and hours of practice will help but cannot substitute for whatever it is that the Me brings forth. Were I to have practiced what dominates the majority of jazz conversations I would have greater range, endurance and gigs. Would I trade what I have for that? No!

[@BrazenNL]

All those questions boil down to the same thing: How can I improve without putting in the work. It's as simple as that.

[@Baribrotzer]

Or maybe not quite. What about, "How can I improve without putting in unnecessary work?" Without a good teacher and a good practice routine, you can waste time going down blind alleys, working on things you already know, and taking five hours a day to do something you could accomplish in two.

[@normanklein3155]

I don't think that's a fair statement. More like "how can I progress despite these road blocks". For instance, musicians shouldn't be criticized just because they don't have perfect pitch, they'll concentrate on attaining proficiency with relative pitch instead of endlessly working to attain perfect pitch. Its a matter of which road to choose and not putting in the necessary work.

[@bobreynolds]

Exactly.

[@bobreynolds]

definitely some truth to that.

[@mvalor2020]

or...I will work the hard way to find the short cut which is why I'm lazy and the only stupid question is the one I don't ask. Makes sense?

[@Guitargate]

I just want to say you're a great teacher!!

[@nathanphillips3893]

I agree! Thanks for sharing this video. I am a bass player, but basically have a whole practice routine planned out based off this vid. So good!

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Guitargate agree

[@hosericardo]

I beg to differ. Beginners coming here are expected to know what a 3rd or a 6th is! He speaking a different language to me!

[@ClaptrapRapture]

@@hosericardo I think it's fair to say Bob's stuff is not aimed at beginners. On his website, when talking about his online school he mentions aiming it at players with 3+ years experience, and similarly the sax workshop he puts on each year specifically caters to intermediate+ players. There are good resources out there for total beginners though, Better Sax has some great content, as well as sites like Taming The Saxophone.

[@jeromeking6001]

@@hosericardo The numbers he's referring to are the scale note numbers . In the C major scale, C is the one, D would be the 2, and so on. If you count up from C, A is the the 6th. In the key of F, D would be the 6th.

[@Lemwell7]

I appreciate this. I get a sense from some people when I talk about theory stuff that I'm too much of a academic musician and not a true musician who just hears the music in my head and flows out of my playing. Those are not mutually exclusive, in fact they support each other, learning theory made my ear so much better, and learning things by ear was how I taught myself the basics of theory.

[@stanhegeman8751]

My concepts have always centered around playing the tune. A lesson I was taught was that the audience should be rewarded. If they can predict more than 50% of the time what you're trying to say, they get bored. and stop listening.. If they can't predict less than 50% of the time, they become frustrated and stop listening. It's a delicate balance. I got those words straight from Jerry Coker.

[@bobreynolds]

Yes! You just articulated something I say often: (for me) it's about a balance between predictability and surprise. If it's all predictable...boring. All surprise...also boring.

[@NikM-sincostan]

As a student in my last year of high school in Australia, i love jazz and i want a career out of it. Never before has a genre of music made me feel so different. This video was very informative and just what i need. MORE MORE MORE! keep up the amazing work man

[@ntxmt]

Whoever is looking for shortcuts, believe me, there aren't any. You've gotta do the work.

[@jazzerson7087]

Excellent video Bob. Yeah I think part of the problem with learning jazz is that a lot of people tell you to learn scales, modes and arpeggios without a musical context. You mentioned the 2-5-1 A minor, D7 and G major 7 but you'll find a lot of teachers online will say "play A dorian and D mixolydian" etc and it doesn't really give you an understanding of *why* melody works. Your example on the arpeggios and the F# being key for the D and the B for G major was exactly the same for me in realizing why certain lines work over certain chords. Because there is a lot of crap about modes you've got to get out of the habit of thinking from the root. With A minor C and E are also key notes but theory teaches you to think A, that's what I find awkward. I'm not a sax player but a guitarist, but I find that a lot of the great solos come from sax and trumpet players. I'm currently transcribing Sonny Stitt's Body and Soul and there is a superb turn around in that over the A7 when it goes into the D major part, one of those dotting arpeggios which begins as a sort of C # minor 7 flat 5 which then descends through scale tones down to the F #, the major third which you know you can apply over the 7 chord in other keys. I thought exactly what you said, "genius"!! I wish I'd been taught that sort of thing from the beginning as I wasted probably a few years in learning scales without proper application, I couldn't solo! It's refreshing I've got to say that you say you're still transcribing and learning things like Moose the Mooche and Can't Get Started as you're a pro player. There's probably a misconception in my mind that every pro player can play like every standard in the book note for note from Ablution to Zing Went, several thousand standards in any key and improvize upon will over anything and somehow don't have to work that hard at playing so many tunes. That's something I find really intimidating because I'm trying to learn one or two new standards a week and also trying to learn pro level lines from transcribing solos over the most popular tunes. It seems eons of work and an impossible task. I know Larry Carlton has said he often learns tunes and then forgets them. The more material you learn the tougher it is I guess to maintain them long term, but certian licks will become deeply engrained in your improvisational vocab. Thankyou anyway Bob, there's a lot in this which gives me more confidence.

[@FrankSax77]

Michael Brecker would say, "No need to practice at this point?! NO! I need to shed for hours every day to be able to do this!"

[@Herehear49]

FrankSax77: Maybe M.B. was saying that what is essential at that "point" is just to play and let it all work together. Making music is the goal. I never refer to working on stuff as practice anymore. If you are playing the right stuff it will be a combination of making music AND staying conditioned to being able to meet any technical challenges. I firmly believe that a lot of practice actually keeps us from being what we are seeking to be: musicians.

[@mvalor2020]

Now I don't feel alone. After 18 years without touching a TS and only playing by ear I can understand where he comes from since I too am 60 with no formal training. Your instructions in this video are gold!

[@thomasmorarre9193]

I was on youtube looking at something else and when it finished this video just came up. I am so glad I stayed to hear what you have to say. Your two cents (as you put it) is well done and I feel like your approach to music is excellent. Thanks for the encouragement and good advice.

[@Fred-le7bl]

I am a tenor sax player and a speaker of a few languages. Your analogy to language learning is really good. So many people say: "I would love to learn French", but when you tell them they need to conjugate/memorize a few verbs so that they can express basic thoughts and then build vocabulary, they typically give up, because conjugating, like playing scales, is no fun. But there is no short cut. I seem to have near perfect pitch for languages and a good ear for music, but certainly not perfect pitch. The two are linked. People who are tone deaf for music are usually deaf for languages, as well. To improvise better, I need to take your advice on becoming more conversant with all the scales and especially the chords on my horn. Our ears will take us only so far.

[@robinreidmusic]

Great lessons Bob. Love your playing, and get my students to listen to your videos so they realize that I am not just making this stuff up. It is language completely, and then practicing the language on our instruments. Thanks for the great lessons

[@koostq]

Fascinating what you said about your friend boiling down the American Songbook to 16 chord progressions! Would love to hear more about that! Love your work! Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@MrGuto]

that is well covered in this book: www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Handbook-Peter-Spitzer/dp/0786690305 Peter calls them Harmonic Cliches

[@koostq]

GRibas Thank you! Will definitely check that out!

[@carenbarnet378]

I hear everything you are saying. I would like to say a big thankyou. You have reassured me that I am on the right track. I've accidentally been directed to your video, and now I know why. One of my greatest challenges is relearning from scratch all the basics. Today is over 6 and half years since surviving a car accident with lots of physical and head injuries. You have revived in me that I will get back playing better, by "Doing the Work" each day , which for me some days I just have to go back and find out what the name of the note that goes blank in my head, so, I write the name under that note in the score. Which leads me to memory. The neurosurgeon said to learn a language would help me to rebuild the damaged pathways. After several years of learning how to live that I remembered I used to play my alto sax in a community concert band. Its slow, Its frustrating, However, Im doing it, and I'm glad Ive accidentally found your video. You spoke of memory, things learnt first and recent ... Committment, yes I'm committed. Patterns. I hear tunes in my head , my fingers eventually find the correct note. I love playing the slow songs , which helps with breathing. I run out of breath before I get to the end of the song. Guess what??? I"m alive and relearning my horn is probably the greatest thing. so once again thankyou for putting everything into perspective for me. In this video, I heard you were playing tunes that you'd recently played and couldn't remember , that made me feel normal again. My tutor from the original learning days is still encouraging me from time to time. I may not ever achieve the same level of competency from before, However, it's the fact that I AM playing, that keeps me going. I am only comparing my playing now, to what I am learning now. Oh and just like Scott Johnson posted over a year ago, I'm just over 60. Playing my sax makes me feel younger. Cheers.

[@saxforth]

Bob, I don't know if you'll read this, but you are spot on. At 62, I've been playing for a long time...it took me a long while to divine the information you're giving here-had I the opportunity to hear this at 18 I would've progressed much faster. You have obviously put in the work-and continue to do so. Nothing is more important, but if equal importance is knowing what to work on. You give some great stuff to practice-this was the first of your vids that I've seen, but I'm a subscriber now. Brilliant stuff-I'm gonna tell my buddies up here in Seattle about you. Lotsa good tooters up here-please come visit!-Jon

[@dominickruocco7412]

Hi Bob ... The guy you're talking about on the video could very well be me ... Great video , you made my day today ...

[@RyanBreaker]

You put it in a way that makes me feel like I can get back into it. Thank you!

[@bobreynolds]

never too late! :)

[@drewinsley7463]

I am a trumpet player, but I love your vlogs far more than any trumpet channels out there!

[@bobreynolds]

+Drew Insley thanks, Drew

[@drewinsley7463]

Its my birthday tomorrow, I'm hoping for a new vlog.

[@flightwithoutfeathers4682]

I have always wanted perfect pitch. You just changed my mind. That is a fantastic way to think of it.

[@wyndhl9465]

Although I am but a comparative sax kindergartener, Bob [lol], please do accept an "A" zillion plus (to YOU) for a well-done discourse on Theory vs. Ear. The Child Language-Acquisition Analogue - as it pertains to receptive and expressive skills - is right on point. You're the man! Take another Grammy Award! [lol] Thanks, Bob!

[@andreyfloryanovich1419]

As always, your ideas and info is invaluable. Much thanks! Also, I'm so glad you kept the pillow from your last video!

[@sdrozo]

This is awesomely inspirational to hear such down to earth advice about doubts and questions i have every day.

[@masapell]

Thanks Bob! From a guy that age who has been really bummed lately as work/life has gotten in the way, I am ready to try and get it going again. As always, love your tone!!

[@raffaelelitterio5370]

Beside all the tips, your sound is astonishing!

[@Nagelsguitardesign]

Thank you very much for this brilliant lesson. This is teaching at its best, combining an amazing span of chops and inner thinking for musical expression. Great job!

[@DiegoTrigo]

Thank you very much for the time putting this video together. Really really appreciate this 15mins as I have exactly the same questions bogging me for a while.

[@saxman3336]

Thanks for this vid Bob, much appreciated, all the way from St.Lucia in the Caribbean.

[@albani953]

Wow, awesome video. You have a knack for communicating. The video clearly addresses common challenges almost every serious musician wrestles with at some point while trying to get better on their instrument.

[@bobreynolds]

+Joseph Brooks thanks, Joseph

[@latinjazzlvr]

Excellent video! So, so good. Thank you for presenting such practical info so articulately with examples. I was at the same Master Chorale performance on 6/23/17. The piece by ‘Lux Aeterna’ by Morten Lauridsen was sublime. Incredible.

[@Genora75]

Hi Bob, I just turned 61. I've been an engineering manager for 30 years, but in a previous life, I was a funk sax player. I'm approaching retirement now, my 4 son's have moved on, it's now my wife and I, and I want to re-learn how to play again. After watching this video, I've reinvested in music and I really enjoy practicing now. Thank you for sharing your approach and providing inspiration!

[@g4p5l6]

Good answer and GREAT sound on the recording side. Agree with your summary- spent too much time jamming when I started out (years ago) and not enough getting to know the chords, the whole tune.

[@frankscapsules6855]

Thank you, Bob for the encouragements! I am not perfect pitch too and also will forget solos I actually learnt. Thank you again!! Really appreciate all the advices and inspirations!

[@charlesneuzil5765]

Thank you! That was excellent. I can't believe how much I got out of fifteen minutes. This came at a good time, I needed to hear a lot of what you discussed. Thanks again!

[@toxicbodh]

i really like what you said about learning accented notes. personally, I think dynamics of these notes are the reason which makes it more lively and mature in the sense of playing those note in that very time. I think that sort of understanding comes with time.

[@RogerNordling]

Your SBA is in amazing condition, it looks like new! It sounds very warm and sweet too.

[@haydenhockly5561]

I love what you're doing here Bob Reynolds. Excellent content and lots of great insights, basically some of the best lessons i've had in years!

[@stradaveriusfiddle]

I think that I am a close fit to the demographic of the letter writer, whose letter you based this post on. I have the same sort of ongoing conflict in my mind about theory, or ear. Without getting into details, one thing that I do differently than the letter writer, is,..I do value, being able to pick apart famous solos, note by note. I play keyboards, and although I try not to ever copy another's solo, or melody, I have always looked at it with the language analogy, and learning, but not copying. Just looking at the melody lines of some Beatles songs, has been amazing to see how more complex they actually are than one may hear it as. Anyway, I appreciate the way that you responded to this letter, and were able to include so many valuable aspects of music theory, with a "user friendly", approach. Thanks!

[@bphlatsax75]

I was sounding like my daughter while watching this whole video, "Yaaassss....yaaassss....yaaaasss". I've been playing sax for more than 30 yrs. and I agree with everything you said on this video about theory and ear playing should definitely go hand in hand!

[@wilkeymusic2]

Great explanation of Vocabulary. "Transcribing is not about learning licks, it's about learning how to speak!" Learning other guitarists solos is about acquiring language. How did he say that musical word? or phrase? Where did he say it on the fretboard? How does that relate to the chord beneath? When we solo, we are having a live conversation with the listener. The more words that we own - the deeper our musical vocabulary, the better chance we have of more eloquently stating musical sentences.

[@martinhoff2762]

Fantastic video Bob! Took me a long time to grasp some of these concepts. Hope this guy listens. (one almost 60 year old to another) Martin

[@Cantbuyathrill]

14:36 ....,"which notes are ghosted, which notes are accented,..." I love that!!

[@ChrisBurnettcbjazz]

Great points. You advised the writer correctly in my opinion. It’s not an age thing though, I’m over 60 and understand the necessity to put in the work. No short cuts.

[@chuefroxz9408]

i don't even play saxophone, but this is prbly the best advice i have ever been told on learning the musical language! thank you sooo much

[@BeansMaskSheen]

great lesson..yeah i think i relative pitch too. Hardest thing nowadays is finding time to practice between work and family etc. Great point you made: Ive forgotten more songs than i remember at this point. actively practicing songs to keep them in your repertoire..man who has the time to practice every song..lol

[@kencicerale6041]

Hi Bob -- great insight. Glad to see you're doing well.

[@bobreynolds]

Hi, Ken!

[@OGStazzy]

I just started playing sax. I’m a guitar player or I was until transcribing so many horn solos by ear, I’d finish learning a song, let’s say Sidney bechet but still felt empty because it was on my guitar something still fell dissonant within even after such achievements with my then recent transcribing on guitar… it started when I learned my first, blues for Alice. I spent hours and hours trying my best to replicate on my guitar. I did so humbly ( check my page to see an attempt) but it taught me an array of things things that when not knowing theory that song taught my ear potential intervals with chords but nothing permanent. Further on maybe 3 months later i transcribed some old tunes like a smooth one Benny goodman and the horn parts, which were to be quite frank, very hard because I couldn’t remember things like why the song worked the way it did and form and melody but luckily I have so much endurance I did retain it a little bit like you said in this video… here we are now I just 4 weeks ago attempting to learn Donna Lee on guitar with the speed on .75 yet still getting my ass kicked , mind you while on guitar I just started to understand the basics of swing 2 and 4 etc. but out of the blue… I felt compelled to get a sax. I was actually going to get a clarinet for 60$ but I went to the wrong store /the right store and ended up leaving with a sax. Sold my guitar and now I’m using the money for lessons. Secured 8 lessons with a fine teacher very fine. Simply has me learning circle of 4/th and 5th . This is a new ball game, in guitar I was mediocre with that talk but now I know it almost in the back of my head. I’ve even learned to use piano functionally well. In fact piano has been helping me learn my triads and other little things. + now I know 7 scales and all the notes in them all in a span of 4 weeks (really because the embouchre phase) I say that to say if that phase didn’t happen and up until 2 days I decided to learn the scales with piano at night when I can’t play it’s probably be 2 weeks give it take. So! Thus far I’ve on my new sax Transcribed humbly, a jimmy Forrest song and Georgie auld song as well. I’m a alto player though. Decided with this instrument I’m going to take time and be cautious and learn from the beginning. Now I’m my guitar I’m way more calm and open minded. Man everything does have its place when we say yes to the challenges and seemingly taunt like questions of our mind ☮️

[@sidneiramalho]

I watch this video once a week!

[@franshugo3244]

Thanks for sharing this funny, honest and serious lesson.

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

It is a language , this guy can teach, many can play but few can teach

[@derycktrahair8108]

This guy is great. I learnt a lot from him. My learning style has been to PLAY and then work out the theory because I listened a lot as a kid before I could save up enough to buy an instrument and have lessons. I HEARD it and then wanted to play it. Theory explains what happened and shows what is possible. It is sad when someone needs permission to play. Screw them. Get on with it.

[@brentonkelly3780]

Well done bob. Thanks for your time.

[@Mikeshawtoday]

Bob - Thanks so much for this. Super helpful, inspiring and motivating. I play flute and working hard now learning blues and jazz. Going through the basics and doing a bit of everything you've said. It takes time, and my joy is seeing the slow and steady progress. Thanks for the enlightening pep talk on memory and the misconceptions. Will work on sixths and chord-up/scale down. I like it. -Mike

[@robertspanton5244]

I'm a guitar player and is still find your videos very helpful, keep up the good work.

[@bobreynolds]

thanks, Robert.

[@danielvillarreal_musician]

Dude I got so much out of this video, thank you!

[@MarkPeotter]

Wow, super great lesson! Maybe I was fortunate to develop my ear training and theory knowledge at the same time. So I always assumed that the 2 concepts are equally important. I, too, have trouble with memorization. My excuse is that I have spent most of my life memorizing new songs to play at casual gigs, and then I have forgotten them while trying to memorize more new songs every month or so. YES - learn the patterns of chord progressions! Great advice!

[@willschmit]

glad to gain perspective on memory as a language skill rather a disqualifier. And since I'm going to Italy..Musica dolce! Tanto da imparare. Divertiamoci!!

[@realmelolofi]

You're the man, Bob! Thanks!

[@RickySweum]

Excellent thoughts Bob, thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@Ana1yst]

I got more from this video and I'm not a sax player but it fits guitar as well.

[@Ryan98391]

Thanks for acknowledging that it's ok to have relative pitch.

[@basimanekgatitswe6560]

Your technique is on point you finger positioning is perfect

[@davidscott1052]

I am the age of that guy you are quoting .I started out as an ear player .I memorized all the heads of all the tunes I liked which included most of the bebop tunes .confirmation .ornithology anthropology etc then just listened to the top guys improvising on them then kind of copies them .I found it worked with most tunes where you could hear the resolutions but I found it really difficult with giant steps so had to learn the chord triads to hear the resolutions

[@DonyaLane]

That was refreshing! So glad I stumbled upon you. (Oddly, you popped up in the cue as I was listening to some classic Crosby, Stills and Nash songs, so I clicked on your vid.) You're a smart and wise teacher and musician. BTW, I also went to Berklee (but I'm a lot older than you, so we weren't there at the same time). Loved your analogy about going to Italy and deciding not to speak Italian. LOL Brilliant! I subscribed.

[@bobreynolds]

Thanks, Donya. :)

[@DonyaLane]

Sure, man!

[@alexlappano435]

"I don't have perfect pitch' - immediately makes that even more irrelevant than obviously by having ridiculously pleasing tone, just coming to these vids now somehow, great stuff

[@billysetiawan369]

thx bob such and inspiration and ur advice really help me in my own music development..

[@adamzukmusic]

such a great point regarding memory. I always tell my student to "memorize through use". If you use it, you'll remember it!

[@thesamecoin2417]

What ^^he^^ said~

[@jimlande9396]

gorgeous tone. The points made sound useful.

[@alicedarlingchannel]

Love this guys attitude about music! . Musicians tend to be hard on themselves . Easy logical approach. Love your approach Dude! Don't sweat It. Musicians you've got this thing!

[@duncanjohnson712]

Wow! Every time I watch one of your vlogs it feels like I'm being kicked in the butt! Haha! But it's so amazing and inspirational! Thank you so much for sharing your gifts and blessings with us all to learn from! I am a tenor sax player from Cape Town, South Africa (Mind the piano in my profile picture. I was arranging at the time). Also, I have a short question but would rather like to email you, if that's okay. Keep these videos coming! It's definitely helping loads of people!

[@kwamealievergreen4257]

It’s amazing how we live in an age where we can directly contact the world’s greatest musicians who are more than willing to teach and share their knowledge, and instead of taking advantage we still have people who are asking how to go about learning just the minimum required amount to acquire proficiency. Some people truly just get in their own way. “I want to bite off as little theory as possible” Jesus Christ man

[@rickcharmingtv]

Great chat and playing. Subscribed.

[@maguffle]

Thank you. This really helped me think through soloing as a self taught musician

[@TheKrikket]

I really appreciate this video. Thanks for your words of wisdom!

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Thanks... What a relief... I was a little concerned about my memory. Great video. Really like your tone.

[@ryantogia4440]

one of the good things about these vlogs is that you weren't born as a super human musician, but you have worked your but off

[@michaelroach4219]

Excellent video!You're right.I've gotta head to the woodshed.

[@xaipezaipe]

Your honesty got me to subscribe and like.

[@pwn0nfire180]

I went to Jamey Aebersold camp one summer a couple years ago and the guy that tought alto sax there said that he doesn’t see much point in transcribing unless you write it down and break it all up into 4 bar phrases so you can memorize the licks in them. I like the way you describe the process much better, I learn licks to help me learn the language but it really binds me up when I try to play solos like that trying to throw a bunch of licks together I can’t feel it anymore

[@ChuckWeirich]

Rob, thanks for this great video! I just discovered you by accident today. Thanks!

[@lafayettegunterjr2967]

Hey bob im a big fan of your music and. Love watching your videos they are very helpful 🎷👍

[@oscardakota2876]

Very helpful to know this, thanks Bob

[@adysaxman77]

Good video bob, I play by ear, and I simply need to do more of the theory.

[@assignmentearth2899]

You actually said some things that may help me. Gonna work. I'll let you know.

[@sevenminaya1390]

What a great lesson.

[@chaylon.j]

man this is beautiful. thank you for your insight.

[@nikosmarkopoulos6633]

Dude -- what microphone are you using? And how did you process the audio? EQ/compress it at all? Sounds great.

[@johananton29]

Playing by ear is somewhat a pride to other music lovers and having perfect makes them like god over the others. Having relative pitch keeps us humble and continually researching and learning. We also need tools like theories we could use to enhance our musical life and our soul. Blessed we are as we meet many in the trade that shares to us the learning and the inspiration to push more in our loved medium of expression.

[@davidpinto2197]

I think the thing I struggle with as a bassist that plays original music and lots of funk/top 40, is the narrative that resonates among my contemporaries that you ought to know LOTS of jazz standards by memory. God forbid you get a call for a jazz gig and you take out your "book".... guys who play lots of jazz gigs of course know that stuff. I am working really hard to have some jazz standards repertoire at my disposal, but it's not easy when you play a variety of music styles.

[@eugeniovenneri137]

Absolutely agree! This music is pure feelings! Great!

[@ChinoGaming7]

hey Bob, have you ever thought about starting a podcast? I love hearing your thoughts on music and I'm sure many others would enjoy something like that!

[@mindciller]

It's like dancing. I used to teach dance but can't retain everything over the years. Also because styles change over the years what used to be new is old etc. . The theory is there but what's more apparent is what you currently practice tends to be what you're best at as long as you have a good base

[@edmcglaughlin9194]

Morten Lauridsen Lux Aeterna, reference: excellent! All good info.

[@christopheradams7158]

Great video Bob some very useful information there thanks very much for sharing it 😀 👍

[@brianmatthews232]

Brilliant, a must view for sax players :-D

[@MichaelBB]

Your first II-V lick is featured in my book BeBop Hanon, for pianists, as The Best Bop Lick EVER! Cool! MBB

[@marshallcrocker8239]

that solo from the impulse brecker album is so insane

[@bobreynolds]

sure is

[@andersonalmeida3993]

Amazing... Excellent content!