Jazz Piano Transcription
Piano Transcription
In jazz, transcription is the process of writing down a melody and chord progressions from a recording. It is often done in order to learn a particular solo, but it can also be useful for practicing technique or getting an idea of how different musicians approach a tune. Transcription is usually a time consuming and difficult task, but with practice it becomes much easier. It is important to work in small chunks and to always play the recorded version of the song while transcribing in order to get a sense of what the rhythm and overall feeling of the piece are.
Using a piano transcribing app can make the process even easier by providing the notes with a clear notation and allowing you to slow down and loop sections for further study. The best way to become proficient at transcription is to practice with a real instrument, but for those without an instrument or who simply prefer to use software, these apps are a great way to learn the process.
The first step in transcribing is to determine the key in which the music is written. If you are unsure, check the final chord of the piece and use the chromatic circle to figure out how many steps higher or lower you need to move in order to change the key. Changing the key a lot will eventually result in a different chord progression, so it is best to start with small changes and work your way up.
Jazz Piano Transcription
When transcribing a melody, it is helpful to think of the note names as numbers rather than letters. This will help you to more easily transpose the melodies into other keys and it is a common trick used by jazz musicians. It will also help you to practice scales and understand how intervals are created.
Another useful tool when transcribing is to use the chromatic circle to find out how many half steps you need to move in order to change the pitch of a part. This will help you to know how far to move each note when converting from one key to another. For example, if you need to move an A flat part up to C, simply move all of the notes up one half step, but if you need to transpose it down a perfect fifth, then move each note down by a full step.
Cliff Jackson gives a great stride treatment to this classic Fats Waller standard. His playing is full of excitement and he makes the left hand sound a little daunting, but the rest of the arrangement is accessible and fun to play. This is an excellent example of a simple melodic line that works great with both minor and major chords. The use of enclosures and the scalar motion helps to keep the melody interesting, especially at higher speeds and with more complex chord progressions. The final line also uses the chromatic ii-V to create an exciting turnaround.
