My Favorite Solos

[pamosmusic]

I’ve been transcribing quite a lot but also not keeping up with actually learning them. I remember reading once that Jim Hall only really transcribed and learned verbatim one or two Bird solos in his whole life but that he knew them like the back of his hand.

So I’ve decided I’m going to do some deep dives on my all time favorite solos.

My criteria for this are solos that I love and know really well, can sing, have been listening to for forever but can’t play at the drop of a hat. I’ve learned them all before but have forgotten at various times.

heres the list …

1. Misty - Wes from Smokin
2. Stella - Jim from Jazz Guitar
3. Tangerine - Jim from Jazz Guitar
4. Green Dolphin St. - Grant from the Sonny Clarke stuff
5. Remember - Hank Mobley
6. September Song - Clifford Brown (Sarah Vaughan)
7. Slow Boat to China - Sonny

Not sure what this will entail but I want to keep at them as long as possible without getting bored.

The first installment:

[Mick-7]

It's become more apparent to me recently that the way horn players phrase their notes/lines is at least as important as the notes they play. Phrasing like a horn player - and not phrasing like a guitarist - is a high art.

[pamosmusic]

It's become more apparent to me recently that the way horn players phrase their notes/lines is at least as important as the notes they play. Phrasing like a horn player - and not phrasing like a guitarist - is a high art.

Honestly I just don’t think guitar players think much about phrasing beyond rhythm. Horn players think about articulation all day and night.

[kris]

Honestly I just don’t think guitar players think much about phrasing beyond rhythm. Horn players think about articulation all day and night.

I think it all depends on the level of playing of a given guitarist.

[beetlejockey]

Dave Liebman's transcription process is similiar to this and it's been working well for me, it's on his website.
I actually just transcribed that Grant solo using the Liebman method. Great picks!

[pamosmusic]

Adding one to the list … saxophone solo on Robot Portrait … (Oliver Nelson, maybe?)

Ive listened to this entire album maybe a thousand times

Honestly it might replace the Sonny solo when the time comes to revisit it

[pamosmusic]

Dave Liebman's transcription process is similiar to this and it's been working well for me, it's on his website.
I actually just transcribed that Grant solo using the Liebman method. Great picks!

this one?

The Complete Transcription Process | David Liebman

[Mick-7]

this one?

The Complete Transcription Process | David Liebman

Wow, that could be someone's PhD thesis! (maybe it is).

[pamosmusic]

Wow, that could be someone's PhD thesis! (maybe it is).

Nah just Dave Liebman bringing it to the people

[beetlejockey]

this one?

The Complete Transcription Process | David Liebman

Thats the one!

[AdroitMage]

It's become more apparent to me recently that the way horn players phrase their notes/lines is at least as important as the notes they play. Phrasing like a horn player - and not phrasing like a guitarist - is a high art.

This^

I'm from the school of thought that phrasing is the most important thing in your improv. It's what separates a guy who's just running his fingers through scales from a guy who's in complete control of his instrument and is truly playing meaningful narrative in his lines.

+1 on learning from horn players too. That's a must do for jazz guitarists in My book. Horn players don't have to spend half their time learning chords and a zillion and one chord voicings and inversions, so the great ones get quite good at playing single note lines.

[Mick-7]

I'm from the school of thought that phrasing is the most important thing in your improv. It's what separates a guy who's just running his fingers through scales from a guy who's in complete control of his instrument and is truly playing meaningful narrative in his lines.

I wouldn't say the most important aspect of improv, but it's a big one and most guitarists sound alike because they overlook it.