When it comes to ear training, I prefer dedicated ear training tools. Honestly, though, I don't think transcribing is the most efficient way to train your ear because it takes too long to write everything down and figure out the rhythms. This will ensure that you are really internalizing the melodies and rhythms while using your ear to find the notes. Once you can sing a section, try to transcribe from your singing. Instead of slowing things down and/or hitting the rewind button 50 times, I suggest that you take the solo in short sections, learning each section well enough to sing it perfectly. I've noticed in my past transcription activities that it's tempting to rely on the rewind button. If you are looking to transcription for ear training benefits, make sure that you use your ear to concentrate on the pitches rather than simple trial-and-error.

While the act of transcription can strengthen your ear, like anything else, you won't get noticeable results unless you do it often (at least a few times a week). Additionally, there's the thought that you'll gain valuable ear training skills from the experience. I agree with this point, as you'll no doubt listen to the solo dozens of times closely following every note and rhythm. Students are encouraged to transcribe solos because there is the notion that if you do it yourself, you'll learn more about the solo. In both of the music schools I attended, for example, we had to transcribe at least one or two or jazz solos each year. There are several books and websites that offer pre-transcribed solos (see the end of this page for links), however it's often recommended that students do transcriptions on their own. The final notation should be rhythmically and melodically accurate enough that someone could read the transcription and sound (somewhat) like the original solo. When transcribing you have to figure everything out on your own, using your ear to tell you which notes are being played. Transcription is the act of writing down the notes and rhythms to a piece of music, or in this case, to a jazz solo. The two topics are closely related, however, as they both pertain to listening to music closely in order to understand what's being played. I was going to include the following in my ' Listening to Jazz' feature, but decided it would probably be best to make a separate document.

Solo transcriptions trumpet