Here is my first transcription project. I picked Fats over Dizzy as a starting point for learning Bebop vocabulary for 2 reasons... The first is simple, Dizzy’s solos contain to much high note playing and to much double-timing. Some day I will be at that level but not yet. The second reason has to do with phrasing and style, Diz owes a lot to swing (Roy Eldridge). He is still amazing, brilliant and the father of Bebop trumpet but I hear more of Bird’s phrasing (Bebop) and articulation in Fats.
I should also mention that my inspiration and information for this whole “transcription thing” came from Dave Liebman and a great article on his website: http://www.daveliebman.com/earticles2.php?WEBYEP_DI=13
He also has a great DVD on the subject called THE IMPROVISER'S GUIDE TO TRANSCRIPTION.
Lastly I should mention that there are errors in this transcription. I am going for 70%... so I can cover more material in less time. Perfection in every solo is not the goal...
Anyway... if I am doing things the way I plan I will have the solo internalized long before I write it down. If you want a perfect transcription... transcribe it yourself... you will learn far more that way.
...So here it is Fats Navarro’s solo on Ladybird:
I will post a recording of myself playing the solo as well as a few exercises created from the solo ASAP
