<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Why do we need this skill?<\/h2>\n
How you ever spend hours searching for a TAB<\/a> with no luck?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By understanding the basics of transcribing, you’ll never need to search for a TAB again. As you become better at transcribing, you can share it with the world using one of the many TAB sites.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I still use this skill often. Whether it’s working out whole songs, guitar solos, or even an individual lick. Applying the basics of transcribing allows me to play along with songs I currently liked or steal an idea from someone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I actually couldn\u2019t teach without it, as I teach my students concept and idea using other people\u2019s songs, licks and ideas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also, the majority of the gig\u2019s I’ve done professionally<\/a> in the last 12 years were artists who gave me MP3 (or a CD) and left me to get on with it! You see I had to be able to transcribe in order to take the gig.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also once you get seriously good at it, you\u2019ll be able to do it on the fly. Just imagine being able to trade licks with the keyboard player, by playing something really similar back just in your own style!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is just some of the ways I use transcribing. And so can you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let’s walk through how to transcribe, step by step. I\u2019m going to show you using a song. However, you can use actually the same steps for working out a guitar solo or even a lick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’ll listen to the song at least 3 times. Sometimes, I can understand the song in a few plays, whereas other times I’ll have to play it 10 times.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After listening to the song a few times, I’ll replay it and note down the song’s structure. I always start by asking myself questions like: Does it start with an Intro? Is there a guitar solo after the third chorus?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ll note this down on paper, using a pencil, so it\u2019s not permanent – in case I’m wrong. I always write the structure in the margin, down the page, allowing enough space to write out the bars contain in that section.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If it\u2019s a simple song, I can usually get 8 bars per line, whereas if it\u2019s complex with lots of weird chords \u2013 I only might fit in 4 bars.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At this stage get a rough idea of structure noted down. You don\u2019t need to worry too much about getting it perfect. Here’s a rough idea of how it look:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next, we need to find the key of the song. The best way to do this is to pick up a guitar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’ve found that the chorus is usually the best place to start. It’s likely that the chords are more obvious and the guitar part is easier to hear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over the chorus, I will try and find the first chord or two. I\u2019ll start with bass notes, any random one will do. How does it sound? Not right?! Try another one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At this point, it\u2019s just trial and error. It could take a few times around the chorus for you to find the first chord\u2019s bass note.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you\u2019ve got it to make a note, just a single letter will do. This is where you need to know what the notes are called on the fretboard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, you\u2019ve got the first chord\u2019s bass note, that\u2019s great! You now need to think about the second chord and its bass note.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Are we moving down, up or staying put? If down how far down are we moving? Are we moving down a string? Once you\u2019ve got it, again, write it down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Keep going until you have a rough idea of the bass line for the chorus. Don\u2019t worry too much if some are wrong as over time you\u2019ll hearing will improve and it\u2019ll be easier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that you have the complete bass line for the chorus, it\u2019s time to work out what the chords actually are. Think in terms of triads<\/a> \u2013 why? It\u2019s the simple form of chords we have. Simple is always better!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have four triad types: Major<\/strong>, Minor<\/strong>, Augmented<\/strong> and Diminished<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First, try playing every chord as a major triad. What chords work? Do any sound wrong? If it works then just leave the bass note as you have it. If it sounds wrong, it\u2019s either a minor chord or it\u2019s a wrong note.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The only way to find out is to try. So play through the chorus again, trying with this chord as a minor with the rest as major. If it sounds right, it\u2019s a minor, and so you\u2019ll want to write a little ‘m’ next to the bass note to indicate it\u2019s a minor chord.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, if it\u2019s a wrong note, stop there and just listen to it a few more times. Usually after a couple of times through you should be able to hear it and be able to correct it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Advanced tip: <\/strong>If you’re working out a guitar part, try to find their voicing as well. Tricky!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next up, you need to think about timing. Are we playing four notes per chord across a whole bar? maybe we have two chords per bar?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Are we playing a passing chord on beat four? Is that second chord being pushed so we play it on the + of the 2, rather than on beat 3?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Again, have a go – write down the timing for the chorus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I generally use slashes to note simple rhythms like one chord per bar or two chords playing two beats. I only ever write out the full rhythm if it\u2019s a critical part of the song.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For example, I would write out the full rhythm of a chic riff as what Nile Rodgers<\/a> is playing is the hook of the song. If I\u2019m going to play the song properly, I need to nail the exact rhythm Nile is playing.<\/p>\n \u00a0 <\/p>\n Following the steps above, work out the chords for the verses. Again it will take some time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then go back over and listen for the timing. Try to get a rough idea written down, so that you can come back to later and get it perfect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next up is the sections that are left. You might have a Solo or a Bridge or a Pre-chorus. Whatever you have left, this is the time to work it out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You should have a rough chord chart written in pencil. You\u2019ve done great, so far!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You now need to try it out, if there\u2019s a wrong chord or two, now is the time to fix it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you\u2019re happy it\u2019s completed, time to write it up in pen and make it look a pro chart.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nBasics of transcribing – my process<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Listen<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Structure<\/h3>\n
![\"Song](\"https:\/\/www.ashleyjsaunders.com\/wp-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Song-structure.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStep 3: First Note<\/h3>\n
![\"all](\"https:\/\/www.ashleyjsaunders.com\/wp-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/all-notes-on-guitar.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStep 4: Second Note<\/h3>\n
Step 5: Finishing Off<\/h3>\n
Step 5: Actual Chords<\/h3>\n
Step 6: Timing<\/h3>\n
![\"slash](\"https:\/\/www.ashleyjsaunders.com\/wp-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/slash-vs.-rhythm.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStep 7: Verses<\/h3>\n
Step 8: What\u2019s left<\/h3>\n
Step9: Write it up!<\/h3>\n
![\"song\"](\"https:\/\/www.ashleyjsaunders.com\/wp-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/song.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n