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Reader,
If you want to get better at improvising, one of the best things you can do is transcribe solos by ear—not just read them off a page.
Why? Because learning directly from the greats trains your ears, improves your phrasing, and helps you internalize the language of jazz in a way that theory alone never will.
And if you’re looking for the perfect place to start, Clifford Brown’s solo on Sandu is a fantastic choice.
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Join our workshop this Friday
This week we are sharing our goals in learning how to play jazz. What do we aspire to? Playing for ourselves? Our friends and family? In a hotel lobby? To fill an arena? Let's share with each other so we can support each other on our way.
On Zoom at 1pm Eastern, this Friday, March 14.
🕒 Note that our time changed this week in the US. So, make sure you have the right time on your calendar!
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Today's 2-5-1
Each week I share 2 transcribed phrases, 5 ideas observed from 1 featured jazz recording.
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Sandu
Recorded by the Clifford Brown and Max Roach Quintet in 1955. Clifford Brown (trumpet), Harold Land (tenor sax), Richie Powell (piano), George Morrow (bass), Max Roach (drums).
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A family emergency this week has me spending a lot of time with family in the hospital. As such, I was unable to do a transcription for you this week. Instead, I want you to give it a shot!
My suggestion for you: Take a few bars from this great recording of Sandu, sit with your instrument and see how much you can figure out. What can you observe about this solo along the way that you can put into your playing?
Keep an eye (ear?) out for:
- The 12 bar blues form.
- Blues vocabulary. How do they mix major and minor blues scales?
- Phrasing. Listen to how long each phrase is, and just as importantly, how much space there is between phrases.
- Are there any repeated motifs you can recognize?
When you've got something to show, post your transcription in the #jazz-help channel in the community for us all to see. I promise that I'll personally review all of them when I get back.
This week on the YouTube channel
I had a lot of fun re-harmonizing Somewhere Over the Rainbow last week, including my attempt at some Barry Harris harmony.
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Josh Walsh
Say hi 👋🏻 on YouTube or BlueSky.
Or, just reply to this email.
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