JohnDX
Blues Newbie
I started some new transcriptions this year. In January, I did Santana’s Black Magic Woman, start to finish except the keyboard parts. I think got it note for note (can’t play it like Carlos but sounds good to me). I use Transcribe software to slow it down if needed. I can usually pick out a lot a full speed but 70% works really well. If I slow down further like 50%, it starts getting muddy, 35% is barely usable given my hearing condition. I write the notes down on tab lined sheets in black ink. I just can’t see pencil that well. If I screw up, I just cross it out and keep going.
Listening to Bluesville on SXM driving I take screen shots of songs I might want learn (dangerous I know). Recently I heard Peter Frampton’s Georgia on My Mind instrumental version (2019 I think). I have transcribed it pretty much note for note. Two observations:
Hearing pitch is sometimes a problem. I will hear a run first convinced it is- 3rd string 0 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 then after not being satisfied find that is actually 3rd string 4 2nd 5 1st string 3 5 6 7 6 7. Hopefully my pitch recognition will get better.
Second and bigger problem is time. I know Black Magic Woman so well in my head since it came out in high school, I just know it in my head plus I can play along with the recording. It sounds pretty good. Georgia on My Mind is another story. I’ve just got the lead transcribed, first pass I know there’ll be some fixes. But I need to pick out the chord progression to play into my looper, then go back and try to learn the 4 minute solo in time. Any hints on chasing down the chord progression? The recording is piano, but I hope I can find the guitar chords. Then most importantly, I’m wondering how to transcribe time. I think Griff uses Sibelius. I haven’t downloaded that yet. When I’m transcribing I try to notate successive bends and releases, trills and give some indication of time. A lot of times, I’ll place a bracket over notes and write ‘this is fast’ or cryptic squiggles at the ends of notes. Any suggestions?
Listening to Bluesville on SXM driving I take screen shots of songs I might want learn (dangerous I know). Recently I heard Peter Frampton’s Georgia on My Mind instrumental version (2019 I think). I have transcribed it pretty much note for note. Two observations:
Hearing pitch is sometimes a problem. I will hear a run first convinced it is- 3rd string 0 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 then after not being satisfied find that is actually 3rd string 4 2nd 5 1st string 3 5 6 7 6 7. Hopefully my pitch recognition will get better.
Second and bigger problem is time. I know Black Magic Woman so well in my head since it came out in high school, I just know it in my head plus I can play along with the recording. It sounds pretty good. Georgia on My Mind is another story. I’ve just got the lead transcribed, first pass I know there’ll be some fixes. But I need to pick out the chord progression to play into my looper, then go back and try to learn the 4 minute solo in time. Any hints on chasing down the chord progression? The recording is piano, but I hope I can find the guitar chords. Then most importantly, I’m wondering how to transcribe time. I think Griff uses Sibelius. I haven’t downloaded that yet. When I’m transcribing I try to notate successive bends and releases, trills and give some indication of time. A lot of times, I’ll place a bracket over notes and write ‘this is fast’ or cryptic squiggles at the ends of notes. Any suggestions?