Saxophone Transcriptions

Transcribing is one of the crucial aspects of learning to improvise. At Indiana University, David Baker taught a course called Styles and Analysis. That was the beginning of this path...150+ solos later. It is important that you do the following with a transcription:

 Important!

• Get the recording of the solo...Tower Records, CD Now
• Follow the solo with the recording
• Try to sing the solo with the recording
• Play the solo and work out difficult passages
• Play the solo with the recording emulating: tone, inflections, time feel, articulations and dynamics.
• Analyze the solo. Find patterns you like and learn them in all 12 keys.
• Analyze the solo for overall concepts. (What does he do on this type of chord?)

By following all these steps, students will gain full understanding of the transcription.

The recording information appears after each solo title. All transcriptions are PDFs and the text pages are GIFs.  

NOTE: If a PDF loads blank, try clicking Reload. Sorry, but you know how browsers vary…

Soprano Sax: PDF files

Sidney Bechet:

C Jam Blues = Sidney Bechet - "Sidney Bechet at Storyville", Black Lion BLCD-760902

Alto Sax: PDF files

Cannonball Adderley:

Blues Oriental = Cannonball Adderley - "Them Dirty Blues", Capitol Jazz 7243- 4-95447-2-7

Dat Dere = Cannonball Adderley - "Them Dirty Blues", Capitol Jazz 7243- 4-95447-2-7

Flamenco Sketches = Miles Davis - "Kind Of Blue", Columbia CK-40579

Groovin' High = Cannonball Adderley with Milt Jackson - "Things Are Getting Better", Riverside OJCCD-032-2 (RLP-1128)

So What = Miles Davis - "Kind Of Blue", Columbia CK-40579

Charlie Parker:

What Is This Thing Called Love = Charlie Parker - "Jam Session", Verve, Norman Granz 833-564-2, second cut.
I Remember You
Just Friends
Out Of Nowhere

Tenor Sax: PDF files

Michael Brecker:

Caprice = The Claus Ogerman Orchestra - "Gate of Dreams", Warner Brothers 3006-2

George Coleman:

Soul Eyes

John Coltrane:

Freight Trane

George Garzone:

Night & Day

Con Alma

Joe Henderson:

A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing = Joe Henderson - "Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn", Verve 314-511-779-2

Blood Count = Joe Henderson - "Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn", Verve 314-511-779-2

Lotus Blossom = Joe Henderson - "Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn", Verve 314-511-779-2

Lush Life = Joe Henderson - "Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn", Verve 314-511-779-2

Upper Manhattan Medical Group (UMMG) = Joe Henderson - "Lush Life, The Music of Billy Strayhorn", Verve 314-511-779-2

Sonny Stitt:

All God's Chillin Got Rhythm
April In Paris

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