{"id":43196,"date":"2017-03-29T13:14:26","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T17:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.neffmusic.com\/blog\/?p=43196"},"modified":"2021-11-06T13:39:46","modified_gmt":"2021-11-06T17:39:46","slug":"now-this-is-how-you-solo-on-a-blues-tim-green-alto-sax-transcription","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neffmusic.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/now-this-is-how-you-solo-on-a-blues-tim-green-alto-sax-transcription\/","title":{"rendered":"Now THIS is How You Solo on a Blues! Tim Green Alto Sax Transcription"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here is another killin’ transcription from a\u00a010th grade student of mine here in Vermont, Jack Egan. \u00a0About a month ago, I shared an incredibly hard transcription on the site that Jack had done on Vincent Herring’s solo on “All the Things You Are”<\/a>. Around that time, I shared another recording with Jack of a Youtube clip of Tim Green tearing up a blues on alto sax. This clip was sitting in a folder on my desktop entitled “Transcription Cue”. \u00a0That’s where I put all the amazing clips I find on the internet that I feel need to be transcribed someday. \u00a0Anyways, Jack was\u00a0digging this clip as much as I did so again I threw out the challenge, “You should figure it out for your next transcription.” “Ok” he replies nonchalantly………..<\/p>\n

Last week, Jack told me he had finished the transcription (after telling me he had made All-State Jazz Band here in Vermont! \u00a0Woohoo!) and then a few days later he emailed me the transcription. Upon looking at it, \u00a0all I could think was “Wow! This was a lot harder than I thought.” \u00a0Triplets, 16ths, 32nd notes, 32nd note triplets……..all mixed up and all over the place. Many of these rhythms were probably\u00a0the first time Jack had\u00a0encountered them. \u00a0Nevertheless, \u00a0Jack figured them out and finished the whole solo! \u00a0Again, I say “Wow!” \u00a0 Great job Jack! \u00a0Check it out:
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Last Page\u00a0of Tim Green’s Solo on\u00a0Blue Monk from Jack’s Manuscript Book<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back to the solo, I first heard Tim Green in the 2008 Thelonious Monk Competition where he came in second place. I later purchased his 2013 recording “Songs from This Season” which I loved but haven’t checked him out more than that until randomly finding the Youtube clip below one day. \u00a0He has my attention again that is for sure.<\/p>\n

The title of this blog post states “Now THIS is how you solo on a\u00a0blues!!” \u00a0Tim is bringing it on this solo! For me, it’s a great example of soloing on a blues with jazz vocabulary but also feeling and emotion. \u00a0During the solo you can hear people yelling and\u00a0calling out almost like it is\u00a0Gospel service. \u00a0People are moved and can’t help but yell out! This solo isn’t just about technical acrobatics but about feelings and expression. \u00a0It’s about the music coming out of the horn and moving the audience emotionally. \u00a0I \u00a0love it!<\/p>\n

Tim does a masterful job combining so much classic bebop vocabulary with classic blues vocabulary. \u00a0He balances the flashy lines with the\u00a0emotional maturity that slows down and holds out a note because it should be held out. \u00a0He slows down and repeats lines and ideas not to impress but to convey a feeling and build a story in his solo. \u00a0Masterful!<\/p>\n

I’ve been playing this solo for the last three days and absolutely love it. \u00a0There is so much to gain from delving into it and learning from it. \u00a0I hope you find it as rewarding as I have to listen to, play with and learn from. \u00a0Great job to Tim Green for the fantastic solo and thanks again to Jack Egan for the transcription! If you want to check out more of Tim Green visit his website at www.timgreenmusic.com<\/a>. \u00a0I can’t wait to hear more from this great young player.<\/p>\n