Transcription Guidelines
I'm sure that you can imagine that after transcribing a few hundred thousand measures of music that I might have some opinions about the choices people make.
I do.
If you are truly interested in imitating and integrating the ideas and riffs and licks of your favorite players into your own vocabulary I would strongly suggest you resist the temptation to have the most difficult and flashy solo transcribed - at least to start.
Why?
Because chances are - you'll never be able to replicate it! That just promotes frustration and dis-interest. I have conversed with a few of my clients about this making the point that we could send the transcription to the artist who played it - and they probably wouldn't be able to do it either!
Your favorite player does not change his style when he plays faster. He doesn't get more creative, in fact it's probably less creative because when you play fast - you will tend to play ideas that you've practiced; that fit comfortably under your fingers.
To cut to the chase:
Choose something by the player you like that is tasty and cool - yet at a slower to moderate tempo. That way you'll be able to digest it and use it. Then we can do a few more....then you'll eventually understand what he's doing when playing fast!
If you want something cool looking to frame-up and put on your wall - then sure, send me the crazy fast stuff. If you want to incrementally develop and grow - go for the juice.
