Transcribing Music to Improve Sight Reading

Q: So far I have been playing rhythms, melodies and progressions that are already written. What about writing down in notation what I hear or create? Is this something I should already be working on?

A: You can start transcribing anything you find of interest. If you want to develop a jazz feel you might start with Wes Montgomery’s D Natural Blues. Whichever style you are interested in, playing and transcribing 8 to 16 bars and learning it note for note is great. It will help you develop a better sense of feel, phrasing, and articulation. Try to pick stuff that is not too difficult to start with.

It is also recommended that you read Bruce Arnold’s Blog at his artist site. It contains more discussion of the musical topics found in these FAQs as well as other subjects of interest. You will also find the “Music Education Genealogy Chart” located here which shows you the historic significance of the music education products found on the Muse Eek Publishing Company Website.

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