TRANSCRIPTIONS
One of my favorite things to do is transcribe the greats! Here are PDFs, available for download, of recordings I have spent time studying and transcribing. This list will frequently be updated so be sure to check back regularly!
No Greater Love (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' bassline and solo from the standard "There Is No Greater Love", as found on his album Go! This transcription begins under Wynton Kelly's solo and proceeds to the end of the track. This is among his most creative basslines, and I highly suggest learning this one to study and incorporate his ideas into your playing. This is also a great for studying minor ii-V's and series of dominant chords.
Dexterity (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' playing of the melody and his solo over the rhythm changes "Dexterity", from the album Chambers' Music: A Jazz Delegation From the East. This is truly some of his finest work. Pay attention his solo, and take note of how much Paul is able to get from just one simple phrase. As always, definitely play along with the recording to try and match his rhythmic feel on some of these lines.
The P.C. Blues (Paul Chambers Solo)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' wonderful arco solo from "The P.C. Blues", from the Red Garland album of the same name. While little talked about, this is among my favorite of his solos, and definitely among the most bluesy and soulful of his works. If you read from this transcription, really make sure to play along with the recording to try and match P.C.'s inflections. Be mindful that he used gut strings.
Almost Like Being in Love (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' full bassline and solo from the tune "Almost Like Being in Love", found on the album Red Garland's Piano. This transcription provides a wonderful study in the melodic language of Chambers' in both his basslines and solos. Pay particular attention his phrasing on this recording and aim to replicate his sound.
On Green Dolphin Street (Paul Chambers Blackhawk Transcription)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' bassline and solo on "Green Dolphin Street". This particular recording is from the Miles Davis Live at the Blackhawk recordings and begins under Wynton Kelly's solo.
Cool Struttin' (Paul Chambers Solo)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' wonderful bowed solo from the track "Cool Struttin", off the Sonny Clark album of the same way. This is a great technical workout that helped me develop my arco technique a lot. As always, make sure to play with the recording and match Chambers' slurs and dynamics.
Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' wonderful bassline and solo from "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" from the record Chet Baker in New York. This, in my opinion, is an extremely underrated recording and I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to transcribe it. Pay attention to Paul's wonderful inflection on every note, his time feel, and intonation. The ending is rubato, and it is a bit difficult to figure out and write out, but I've tried to write it out in such a way as to make it easy for the reader to feel the passage.
Clear the Dex (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of one of my favorite Paul Chambers solos, found on "Clear the Dex" by Dexter Gordon, on the album Dexter Calling. This album features the iconic rhythm section found on Blue Train and Kenny Drew Trio. This particular transcription captures Paul's bassline under Kenny Drew's solo as well his arco solo.
I'm Old Fashioned (Paul Chambers Transcription)
This is a transcription of two choruses of Paul Chambers' gorgeous bassline from "I'm Old Fashioned", off the John Coltrane record Blue Train. This is a wonderful example of Paul's ballad mastery, gorgeous note choice, and rhythmic ideas. Practice with the recording and focus on tone and intonation.
Nobody Else But Me (Larry Grenadier Bassline)
This is a transcription of two chourses of Larry Grenadier's awesome bassline from "Nobody Else But Me" from the Brad Mehldau album The Art of the Trio Vol. 1. This is a transcription I did early on when I had to learn this tune for an ensemble, and I am still impressed by this creative bassline. Play along with the recording, and note the strong relationshp between the bass and drums here.
A Taste of Honey (Eugene Wright Transcription)
This is a transcription of a few choruses of Eugene Wright's bassline on "A Taste of Honey", as found on the Paul Desmond album Glad to be Unhappy. I transcribed this some time ago while learning the song for an ensemble, and figured I would share it here. Because the A section is fourteen measures, each A section is grouped in two systems of 4 measures and one of 6, in order to keep things easier to follow.
Woody'n'You (Butch Warren Solo)
This is a transcription of Butch Warren's bass solo on the Gillespie standard "Woody 'N' You", from Grant Green's Just Friends record. I transcribed this some time ago, mainly because I was having a hard time soloing over this tune and wanted to study some other bassists' approaches to it.
I Fall in Love Too Easily (Carson Smith Bassline)
This transcription is of Carson Smith's bassline on "I Fall in Love Too Easily" from the wonderful record Chet Baker Sings. I transcribed this early on in my playing to learn the tune for an ensemble. This bassline is pretty straightforward, nice use of (mostly) chord tones. I'm not sure if the rhythm on the last few bars is completely accurate as the tempo slows, but if you listen to the recording you'll get the idea. Great ballad practice!
The Theme From Black Orpheus (Gene Chercio Bassline)
This is a transcription of a couple choruses of Gene Cherico's bassline from "Black Orpheus", as found on the Paul Desmond album Take Ten. When I first learn a new tune, I always put my ear to it. When I had this posted this on Soundslice, I was actually surprised by the popularity of this transcription. I hope it aids you in your musical studies!
A Foggy Day (Paul Chambers Transcription)
.png)
This is a transcription of Paul Chambers' bassline and solo in its entirety on "A Foggy Day", found on the album A Garland of Red by Red Garland. This is one of my favorite examples of the bassist's wonderful vocabulary. Becuase this tune is a 34 bar form, I made a couple of the systems six bars long to make it easier to sight read.
In Your Own Sweet Way (Percy Heath Bassline)
This is a transcription of Percy Heath's bassline from "In Your Own Sweet Way" from the album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. This was actually the first jazz album I got into, so it changed my life in a lot of ways, this song especially. If you ask me, Tommy Flanagan takes the show on this one with that tear-jerking outro (it's truly gorgeous). This bassline is pretty straightforward, and makes for good ballad practice. I did notice some interesting things when transcribing this one some time back, such as how gorgeous that bowed pedal is and that bar of 5/4 before the return of the melody. Please note, some of the chords are enharmonic, such as the Gb7 (which could be very well written F#7), but I prefer to read the flat keys, which is why I wrote it that way.