1. Sing it 2. One at a time 3. Have a goal 4. Set a deadline/timeframe 5. Reverse engineer: analyze the theory applied in the technique to see why it sounds good.
It's been a couple decades ago that I "tricked" myself into transcribing (I write it out) every day: this is how I teach myself about music. The trick is simple: Make a goal of transcribing just 4 measure per day. If you want to stop after that, you can do so guilt-free. I don't think I ever stopped at 4 bars, but this humble goal was easily reached and was one that I could face each day when I was MUCH slower at transcribing than I am now. YMMV.
I dont know who are the 2 stupid guys that clicked thumb down this video have no idea how Scott Devine is a genius teacher. He put in simple and clear words things many of us have been listening for years without really understanding the grounds below.. You should definitely register to his bass website. I will be endlessly thankful to him since he helped me out as a composer and beat maker. Bass line is the groove of our music. Keep doing what you do, you are just great Scott !! Thank You man.
you are so helpful and inspiring ,my bass lecturer isnt nearly as caring and commited as you are and its supposed to be a top institution but its people like you who make time everyday to help strangers that deserve the credit,thanks for the inspiration and help.
Hi Scott, this is the best explanation I've heard regarding transcription. In addition to being an awesome player, you are a gifted teacher. Thank you!
Today I am transcribing, Paul Fakhourie's bassline on Ziggy Marley's song, "Love is My Religion". I have watched this video at least a few times over the years. It always inspires me to dig in. You are an Amazing Teacher, Scott, Thank You!!
Joe Dart is my target for transcriptions at the moment. No solos really though, its his grooves and the note choices and the way they that to the songs that I really love. He's so tight as well, so working on that too.
Great lesson Scott! Today I'm learning the Santana Smooth baseline. I have a midi file of the song in my DAW which has markers for chorus / verse / bridge etc which is handy, because I can loop the section I'm working on. I can solo the bass line then I can always adjust the bmp to slow down if needed. If don't have a midi file of a song I want to learn I often just watch the song on CZcams and set the speed to 0.5 to learn tricky bits.
Transcription cannot be overemphasized as a way of developing! We learn to communicate through language and non-verbals as we observe and absorb the communication of others. The real development occurs when we actively practice and imitate what we've absorbed, analyze how it works in different contexts, and then find our own voice. Music vocabulary works the same way. Thanks for the reminder Scott!
Transcribing the first chorus of John Coltrane's solo on Giant Steps. Have learnt it in 12 keys at 80% tempo. Now my teacher wants me to learn it on one string (as much as possible). Absolute killer haha! Great work as always Scott!
Love it.. About 15 minutes you looked like you were going to get carried away and just funk for days. Transcribing is something I'm rather new to as I've only recently been attempting. Will definitely take your advice about taking my time. Cheers for the awesome videos!
Great topic! More musicians should be doing this. I got really good at dropping the needle at the right spot of a record....now that's "ol'school" lol!
Awesome lesson! The last music I was transcribing was "1612" from Vulfpeck. But only the main line. I still have something to work to transcribe the harder parts.
Down to the Bone!!! I have a very short attention span so their awesome grooves are perfect for an old guy like myself:-} Thanks for all your hard work brother!!
great - I don't do enough transcribing, but the first ones I ever did as a beginner were: Verdine White on the intro to EW&F's "Getaway"; Jamerson on 4Tops' "Bernadette"; and Van Morrison "Wild Night" - oh, and of course Paul Chambers on Miles's "So What" - right now working on Jaco's complete track of "A Remark You Made" which must ONLY ever be played on a fretless...
Great lesson. Transcribing some Travis stuff and always working on a run from Rush's Tom Sawyer. I can do a few minutes then my fingers get confused. Sometimes the more thought I put in, the less fluid it becomes..😯😀
I also find a good way of ear training is to find a tab that may not be fully accurate or just has teh basic chord listing and use that as a basis to start adn get an idea of the song. Then go from there to improve your ear and fill in the other parts
Great stuff as always from Scott. I'm working out Rustee Allen's (of Sly and the Family Stone fame) bass line on "Little Girl" from "In City Dreams" by Robin Trower. Super cool album where Rustee's soulful bass meets Trower's harder rock vibes, absolutely recommend it.
The Internet read my mind, of course. I've been working on learning some songs. These tips are definitely helping. BTW, I'm transcribing Robbie Gordon's bass line for The Bottle by Gil Scott Heron.
Funnily enough this was a skill I picked up without having to be told... Just seemed to me that deconstructing licks and solos in their keys would come in handy sometime.
this inspired me to get off by butt and start transcribing - question - do you keep your solos memorized or write them down for long term? or is it more important to transpose and just retain important ideas for your own playing. cheers from America
I'm working on a track from a Super Nintendo game called B.O.B called Techno Pyramid. Lots of 'walking' and octaves. Trying to transcribe on tabs and classic notation too. Three days, 30ish mins of work apiece, and I think I got the first phrase down.
Any thoughts on the Boss 1/2 rack parametric EQ as a useful tool in transcribing those mono, muddy- back in the mix with dubious intonation upright bass parts in early 50s, 60s pop, rock records? I've used the Akai U40 which has a filter and even the Tascam Bass CD trainer which has a bass boost feature in addition to speed alteration. Right now I'm happy with the Tascam LR10 but it doesn't have a frequency filter. The RPQ10 is available on Reverb for a reasonable cost. Most guys use it as a guitar tone enhancement but I'm hoping it will be useful as a transcribing tool even though it only has 15db boost or cut.
Great lesson Scott. My troubles come when trying to figure out the chord. I have trouble connecting the bassline to the chord. like a dominant or lydian, or major. or extensions d dominant #11 etc.
"CD player skip and slow down software" LOL vinyl was so much easier. I learned to play guitar from one albert king record. i havnt learned anyone elses stuff for years. it was quite fun though. i should get back on it
yo, what transcription software do you guys use? I'm looking for something exactly like the "amazing slow downer", only much cheaper, coz that one is 50$, which i find a bit much. theres also "best practise" which didn't work on my computer and the "music speed changer" which is only for android, I want windows. cheers!
But how exactly do I identify the chord, and the key the song is played in?? And if I find the key does that mean I should only play tones from that scale in the entire song?? Im kinda confused
Great lesson, even for a beginner like me. I've been trying to learn the bass lick from Loggins and Messina, Angry Eyes Live that happens about 1:32 in the song. It's only 13 notes repeated but I can't get it and there are no tabs available. Anybody help?
I need the isolated drum track of Heartbeat by Herbie Hancock. Otherwise that groove is simply too powerful to transcribe, can't even tell where it starts and where it ends. This album is actual funk. Almost feel guilty for wanting to emulate it.
I use one called MuseScore 2, that's free to download. It takes a couple of hours to learn your way around, but once you've got the basics it's quite easy to use. A nice feature is that you can link two staves, so whatever you put in one will appear in the other, in a different format, if that's how you've set them up. So I can enter a bass line in bass clef notation and have it appear underneath in tab form, which is great for my daughter who's just started learning the bass (did her a tab for Mr. Blue Sky, by ELO).
1. Sing it
2. One at a time
3. Have a goal
4. Set a deadline/timeframe
5. Reverse engineer: analyze the theory applied in the technique to see why it sounds good.
It's been a couple decades ago that I "tricked" myself into transcribing (I write it out) every day: this is how I teach myself about music.
The trick is simple: Make a goal of transcribing just 4 measure per day. If you want to stop after that, you can do so guilt-free. I don't think I ever stopped at 4 bars, but this humble goal was easily reached and was one that I could face each day when I was MUCH slower at transcribing than I am now. YMMV.
Great idea! I definitely need more structure. I was trying to figure out "If you want me to stay" just earlier.
"Transcribe 4 measures per day." I think i found my new years resolution
@@BrendanB1 Did you follow it? ;)
Thanks for this Rob! I try to get too much done in one day, and end up frustrated.
I dont know who are the 2 stupid guys that clicked thumb down this video have no idea how Scott Devine is a genius teacher. He put in simple and clear words things many of us have been listening for years without really understanding the grounds below.. You should definitely register to his bass website. I will be endlessly thankful to him since he helped me out as a composer and beat maker. Bass line is the groove of our music. Keep doing what you do, you are just great Scott !! Thank You man.
Most people who can play can't explain well but you can do both very very well!
you are so helpful and inspiring ,my bass lecturer isnt nearly as caring and commited as you are and its supposed to be a top institution but its people like you who make time everyday to help strangers that deserve the credit,thanks for the inspiration and help.
Hi Scott, this is the best explanation I've heard regarding transcription. In addition to being an awesome player, you are a gifted teacher. Thank you!
My problem is hearing too many cool songs and wanting to learn them all at once lol
You can stick them on multiple tracks on your daw and play them back simultaneously. Try that.
Today I am transcribing, Paul Fakhourie's bassline on Ziggy Marley's song, "Love is My Religion". I have watched this video at least a few times over the years. It always inspires me to dig in. You are an Amazing Teacher, Scott, Thank You!!
You've busted the 300 000 subs Haha! Keep on, your material is great. You are my favorite youtube bass teacher. All in all, thank you !!
Joe Dart is my target for transcriptions at the moment. No solos really though, its his grooves and the note choices and the way they that to the songs that I really love. He's so tight as well, so working on that too.
Great lesson Scott! Today I'm learning the Santana Smooth baseline. I have a midi file of the song in my DAW which has markers for chorus / verse / bridge etc which is handy, because I can loop the section I'm working on. I can solo the bass line then I can always adjust the bmp to slow down if needed. If don't have a midi file of a song I want to learn I often just watch the song on CZcams and set the speed to 0.5 to learn tricky bits.
Great vid, very encouraging for this beginning bassist! 😄
Transcription cannot be overemphasized as a way of developing! We learn to communicate through language and non-verbals as we observe and absorb the communication of others. The real development occurs when we actively practice and imitate what we've absorbed, analyze how it works in different contexts, and then find our own voice. Music vocabulary works the same way. Thanks for the reminder Scott!
Transcribing the first chorus of John Coltrane's solo on Giant Steps. Have learnt it in 12 keys at 80% tempo. Now my teacher wants me to learn it on one string (as much as possible). Absolute killer haha! Great work as always Scott!
Excellent advice, Scott. Love the bit about reverse engineering. I wish I had that advice 10 years ago, but it's never too late to use best practices!
Love it.. About 15 minutes you looked like you were going to get carried away and just funk for days.
Transcribing is something I'm rather new to as I've only recently been attempting. Will definitely take your advice about taking my time.
Cheers for the awesome videos!
Great topic! More musicians should be doing this. I got really good at dropping the needle at the right spot of a record....now that's "ol'school" lol!
I got Sam and Dave's greatest hits on Amazon. I just finished transcribing Mustang Sally. Going to keep going.
Priceless advice thanks Scott. Marcus Miller is someone I am am transcribing stuff from right now.
What a great idea for a lesson. Great job Scott!
Awesome lesson! The last music I was transcribing was "1612" from Vulfpeck. But only the main line. I still have something to work to transcribe the harder parts.
Thanks Scott - great advice. Thank you. In addition to bass I've noticed my guitar technique has improved : -)
Really love your video.Its so helpful. Thanks from Japan.
Down to the Bone!!! I have a very short attention span so their awesome grooves are perfect for an old guy like myself:-} Thanks for all your hard work brother!!
great - I don't do enough transcribing, but the first ones I ever did as a beginner were: Verdine White on the intro to EW&F's "Getaway"; Jamerson on 4Tops' "Bernadette"; and Van Morrison "Wild Night" - oh, and of course Paul Chambers on Miles's "So What" - right now working on Jaco's complete track of "A Remark You Made" which must ONLY ever be played on a fretless...
Great lesson. Transcribing some Travis stuff and always working on a run from Rush's Tom Sawyer. I can do a few minutes then my fingers get confused. Sometimes the more thought I put in, the less fluid it becomes..😯😀
I also find a good way of ear training is to find a tab that may not be fully accurate or just has teh basic chord listing and use that as a basis to start adn get an idea of the song. Then go from there to improve your ear and fill in the other parts
Great stuff as always from Scott. I'm working out Rustee Allen's (of Sly and the Family Stone fame) bass line on "Little Girl" from "In City Dreams" by Robin Trower. Super cool album where Rustee's soulful bass meets Trower's harder rock vibes, absolutely recommend it.
I'm transcribing the bassline to "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" by the Monkees. It's pretty amazing!
i love that movie "head" loads of great songs on it. porpoise song... also look for a cameo from franks zappa.
The Internet read my mind, of course. I've been working on learning some songs. These tips are definitely helping. BTW, I'm transcribing Robbie Gordon's bass line for The Bottle by Gil Scott Heron.
what a great lesson!
Great lesson Scott.. I'm transcribing Jamersons bass line on marvin Gaye - Aint that peculiar..
very encouraging , thanks
Guitarist here, transcribing Wes Montgomery's solo on Four On Six.
Same here. I stopped doing that for a while and should probably get back into it.
Thanks Scott my boy!
I have been transcribing some chet baker in almost blue. It's slow but full of feel..
I'm having a Dickens of a time transcribing "Weak and Powerless" by A Perfect Circle.
Funnily enough this was a skill I picked up without having to be told... Just seemed to me that deconstructing licks and solos in their keys would come in handy sometime.
this inspired me to get off by butt and start transcribing - question - do you keep your solos memorized or write them down for long term? or is it more important to transpose and just retain important ideas for your own playing. cheers from America
I'm working on a track from a Super Nintendo game called B.O.B called Techno Pyramid. Lots of 'walking' and octaves. Trying to transcribe on tabs and classic notation too. Three days, 30ish mins of work apiece, and I think I got the first phrase down.
7:56....and I stole it directly from you just now ! 👍🏾🤘🏽
U're 15 from 300k subs! :D Gratz!!!! xD
My tip: If you can't figure out what the bass is playing transpose the song one octave up (any daw can do this without altering the tempo).
Nice! Transcribed Stand By Me by Ben E King before watching your video! Think I generally got it! ^.^
Any thoughts on the Boss 1/2 rack parametric EQ as a useful tool in transcribing those mono, muddy- back in the mix with dubious intonation upright bass parts in early 50s, 60s pop, rock records? I've used the Akai U40 which has a filter and even the
Tascam Bass CD trainer which has a bass boost feature in addition to speed alteration. Right now I'm happy with the Tascam LR10 but it doesn't have a frequency filter. The RPQ10 is available on Reverb for a reasonable cost. Most guys use it as a guitar tone enhancement but I'm hoping it will be useful as a transcribing tool even though it only has 15db boost or cut.
I'm attempting to transcribe James' Joint by Rihanna
Great lesson Scott. My troubles come when trying to figure out the chord. I have trouble connecting the bassline to the chord. like a dominant or lydian, or major. or extensions d dominant #11 etc.
Exacly the same for me ! When I transcribe, I think theory at the same time as singing it.
What Anthony Jackson Song did that tasty line come from? Please and thank you for your videos.
red garland trio c jam blues. thanks you
Hi Scott, Marcus Miller "Detroit" 👍🏾
Pat Metheny's solo on Windows, amazing solo!
Album called Renaissance. 👍🏾
"CD player skip and slow down software" LOL vinyl was so much easier. I learned to play guitar from one albert king record. i havnt learned anyone elses stuff for years. it was quite fun though. i should get back on it
Oh crap I've been playing "I Want You Back" wrong for years
starts at 3:33
yo, what transcription software do you guys use? I'm looking for something exactly like the "amazing slow downer", only much cheaper, coz that one is 50$, which i find a bit much. theres also "best practise" which didn't work on my computer and the "music speed changer" which is only for android, I want windows. cheers!
But how exactly do I identify the chord, and the key the song is played in?? And if I find the key does that mean I should only play tones from that scale in the entire song?? Im kinda confused
What's going on - Jamerson
Great lesson, even for a beginner like me. I've been trying to learn the bass lick from Loggins and Messina, Angry Eyes Live that happens about 1:32 in the song. It's only 13 notes repeated but I can't get it and there are no tabs available. Anybody help?
Thanks for this post. That is a nice solo. I'm going to add it to my bass tutorial playlist.
Im transcribing In your eyes by badbadnotgood.
Yeah mate,good one!Their other stuff is really great for transcribing too.
I need the isolated drum track of Heartbeat by Herbie Hancock. Otherwise that groove is simply too powerful to transcribe, can't even tell where it starts and where it ends.
This album is actual funk. Almost feel guilty for wanting to emulate it.
Did you manage to remember what album it was? Wouldn't mind checking it out myself!
hi
For me, Scott lafaro autumn leave transcription
Hey Scott!
Can you name some free bass transcription software please.
Thanks.
I use one called MuseScore 2, that's free to download.
It takes a couple of hours to learn your way around, but once you've got the basics it's quite easy to use.
A nice feature is that you can link two staves, so whatever you put in one will appear in the other, in a different format, if that's how you've set them up.
So I can enter a bass line in bass clef notation and have it appear underneath in tab form, which is great for my daughter who's just started learning the bass (did her a tab for Mr. Blue Sky, by ELO).
Now i can start writing down my transcriptions so that i don't forget them! Thank you so much for sharing ;)
It's sad that there's no word in our lingo for learning the lines, and we're forced to coopt the word transcription which implies "into written form".