{MUSIC} Identifying Notes (was Re: playing in other keys)
Posted by: wulf <wulf@...>
> I can 'hear' where I need to go. I can sing it (which I was
> told is the first part of playing by ear and transcribing).
> But I have the HARDEST time figuring out where what I hear
> should be coming from on my bass. Is this just a gift, or
> is this something I can learn? I'm always amazed when
> someone can hear a single note and tell you what it is. It
> would take me somewhere in the vicinity of 12 tries
> : ) Or hear a song and tell you the key.
Being able to hear a pitch and name it with no other
reference point is called "perfect pitch". However, you
don't need to learn that skill in order to transcribe a piece
of music.
However, it should be easier with an instrument to hand.
Don't pick a note at random - make an educated guess
about which part of the neck it comes on, and finding that
first note might only take four or five tries and then a bit
more playing around to verify it.
This should make the next note easier - having found a
starting point, you can already ascertain whether it's
higher, lower or the same, so again it shouldn't take
twelve goes.
As the song goes on, it should get easier and easier, as
patterns repeat and you get your ears tuned into what the
different notes (and neck positions) sound like on the
recording.
I would advise writing it down as you go along. After a
while take a break and then come back to it. When you
play the line unaccompanied, does it sound right? Does it
fit when you play along with the recording? With sections
that sound dodgy is it a case of needing to work on your
playing technique or did you get a note wrong?
Think of transcribing music like drafting a piece of writing.
The first time through, you get the general outline, but to
really crack it, you need to go back through several times
making refinements and corrections. (FWIW, this is a
first draft reply - I'm sure it would be more eloquent if I
took the time to tinker with it... but then you might not
get it until next week!).
Above all, it is a skill - the more you do it (with a learning
attitude), the more you'll improve.
Wulf
--
Wulf Forrester-Barker <//<
NB. new preferred address: wulf@web-den.org.uk
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Website: http://www.web-den.org.uk/