Well, this thread was less about writing down the tunes and solos than learning them. Transrcribing doesn't have to be done on the staff (though it is more efficient to do so, for people who can read music).
If I could remember every line I've ever listened to (or if I could legitimately say I can play perfectly back what I hear the first time i hear it), then transcription would be less meaningful., It also gives you the opportunity to see what some of these improvisors are doing.
I am less interesed, myself, in the licks they play than what they are thinking when they play them, and why the licks sound so good.
Keith Jarrett, for instance, is not a guy to go to for licks. However, to lok at what he plays and analyze it, you can seriously improve how you improvise over a sound (chords, changes, vamp, ...etc. whatever it may be).
It also helps to train your ear so that you can follow what they other band members are doing, as well. It's good when you can hear a band member play something outside the song, you pick it up, and then you can play the same kind of harmony/rhythm they are playing to make the song cohesive. It's both a good feeling and a good sound.
Music really is much like a language. You learn to hear phrases as a whole (very gestalt stuff).
Anyone have any stuff they've written down? I've been working all week, and I haven't even begun to try and dig up those solos I was talking about. The keith jarrett one on "four" in particular is amazing. i wish I had finished it. It's one of my favorite solos of all time.
