Wynton Kelly “Sassy” Transcription
In this lesson we are going to explore the Wynton Kelly recording of the tune “Sassy” which is a blues in the key of F.
Wynton Kelly is known for his swingin’ bluesy style, and in this tutorial we will discuss the best way to emulate the phrasing and feel of this master of jazz piano.
The Importance Of Transcription
We will start the lesson by discussing the importance of transcription, and how this is an essential element of your jazz piano learning journey.
In this lesson we will examine 1.5 minutes of the recording, and I will outline the approach that I follow to transcribe a solo from a recording.
When just starting out with transcription, you will find it very difficult. The first step is to listen to the recording many times to get a feel for the music and the style of improvisation.
Playing Along With The Recording
The key benefit of playing along with the recording is that it allows you to truly emulate the feel, and the phrasing of what is being played.
There is no other way to absorb the feel of jazz music as effectively as listening and playing along with the players and recordings that you aspire to sound like.
Playing Along With The iRealPro
The next step is to play the solo with the iRealPro backing track app.
At this stage we will be feeling more comfortable with the solo, we have spent the time to listen and transcribe the notes and so we should be feeling the rhythm and the placements of the notes.
Ultimately, the goal is to absorb some of the feel of the recording. Whilst we may not be able to play the solo as perfectly as the recording, we will have improved our jazz feel and we can carry this onto other tune that we are working on.
Lesson Downloads
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12 Bar Blues Lesson Supplement File Type: pdf
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Practice Tips
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When transcribing a solo, the first step is to listen to the recording for at least a few days to get a feel for the record.
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After you have transcribed some of the material, play along with the recording to emulate the phrasing, feel, and other nuances of the performance.
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Once you feel more comfortable with the transcribed material, the next step is to play along with a backing track such as the iRealPro.
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Set the repeats to 20+ and cycle around and around the form.
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Take a single idea that you have transcribed, and try to develop it to its fullest potential.
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Use the transcribed lines as a 'spring board' to explore your own ideas.
Hayden, thank you really so much for this latest addition to the course of the Blues. With the assistance of the video it will be so much easier to learn how to improved in the key of F and add to the previous lessons. I am, at present, working on the two-note licks lesson and this will be an awesome exercise to help me along. And, of course, help with playing rhythmically that’s easier to learn with the blues chords structure (compared with, say, Laura, etc.).
Thanks again, Smole
My pleasure Smole… it was a fun (and challenging!) lesson to make.
I also think it’s a brilliant addition to this course so thanks for the suggestion to get this lesson created.
Yes I think that is a wise move to focus on the blues because of its simple chord structure and form. Also there is a virtually endless source of blues records to find inspiration and new material.
Cheers!
Hayden
Hello Hayden: after about 3 months of coming back to “Sassy” I am still struggling with playing the improvisation. The problem is, simply, my very poor technique (which is good enough for slow tempo or rubato playing but …).
Aside from going through the whole course on 12-bar blues and ‘getting it right”, is there anything else you could suggest (I guess I am asking for some short-cuts or similar suggestions) that would help me learn to play most of Kelly’s improvisation.
As you can imagine, I am working on several standards at the same time to keep my interest up so this piece, Sassy, is one of them; no rush. I discovered some time ago the wisdom of your caution us that things require months of practice to get someplace.
Thank you, Smole
Hi Smole,
Yes transcription is a long, slow, and often very tedious process, but also a process that gets easier each time we transcribe. I can completely understand and relate to the difficulty when first starting out.
I’m in NYC for this month and I’m working with Tuomo on some new transcription initiatives that will be accessible to all levels of students.
I’ll be posting updates on this in the forum so keep an eye out there.
More to follow :-)
Hayden
Thanks, Hayden, I’ll keep at it (fortunately I am enjoying the process almost more than the ‘finished product’- a usual rationalization for a person who has not progressed in something too well, right?).
I live on Staten Island but welcome you to whichever part of NY you are visiting. My wife and I are about to go on our 3-month trip to Europe (including a week in London that we have not visited in a number of years) so everyone is traveling. If your E2 visa works out and you come over for a longer period of time, it would be truly a pleasure to even meet you in person one day. Quien sabe.
Best to you and Tuomo. Smole
Hey Smole,
Yes do keep at it, our new initiative is aiming to provide insight, inspiration, and a more structured approach for our students to become competent at transcription and improvisation.
And yes it would be a pleasure to meet in person sometime. I’m in Brooklyn at the minute and just here until the end of the month so things are a little hectic. I will certainly be back for a more extended period of time in the future. I will keep you posted.
Enjoy the trip to Europe with your wife and talk soon!
Hayden
Thanks again, and I hope we meet at some point. Best, Smole