Below I’ve posted some of my transcriptions of favorite solos/artists. Some are pretty old, some are pretty recent, as you can probably tell by the ever-changing formatting. Some of these transcriptions are written out or arranged to be played on the double bass, rather than the instrument it originally comes on (in the case of horns, piano, etc.) I’ll update this list as I dig up/do more.
Orbits (Miles Smiles)
Did this for a project during undergrad way back. Always been curious if this tune had a form, so I thought I could figure it out by tracking some trends in everyone’s playing. Hard to say! Great tack and great energy.
Wildflower (Speak No Evil)
Did this one as a project with a friend a few years back. The goal was to adapt the solos to both of our respective instruments and be able to play them from memory/in the air. This album is tops. Please disregard the horrid rhythmic notation - still figuring out how to write float down…
Michael Formanek - Streams/Rolling Stone
This album blew my mind the first time I heard it. It’s one of the most challenging and engaging records of solo double bass playing I’ve come across over the years. Curious about revisiting and maybe lifting something from it again. I guess I’d have the time for that currently…
Dave Holland - Take the Coltrane
Triplicate was a pretty formative album for me. Discovered a lot of what I love about this music through it, never mind getting a glimpse of the potential such a small group setting. Wish I’d do this with my own groups more!
Sonny Rollins - Without a Song
Originally did this transcription for my Peabody audition. Love how this solo develops - real great example of “staying in an idea.” Was interested in getting my bow playing together more at the time, so this score is arranged for bass + bow.
Larry Grenadier - All The Things You Are
First of a series of transcriptions I did of Larry’s playing. This is a whole track transcription of Larry’s part from the Art of The Trio 4 album with Brad Mehldau’s trio.
Larry Grenadier - Nice Pass Solo
Second in my series of Larry transcriptions. This one also comes to us from Art of the Trio 4 (Mehldau) and features one of the more unique takes on rhythm changes I’ve heard.
Larry Grenadier - Long Ago and Far Away
Third and last of a series of transcriptions I did of Larry Grenadier. This one comes from a bootleg that I sadly lost, so I can’t properly cite it. If you recognize this one send me a message. This transcription includes everything up to the trading.
Ray Brown - Tricotism
Ray Brown’s full part off the opening track of Oscar Peterson’s 1961 recording “Sound of the Trio”. Part of an in-depth study of Ray’s playing and musical “lineage.”
Oscar Pettiford - Tricotism
Oscar Pettiford’s full part off the title track of Lucky Thompson’s 1965 recording of the same name. Again, part of that study I mentioned in the blurb on Ray.
Ray Brown - Sometimes I’m Happy
Ray Brown’s full part off of Oscar Peterson’s 1961 recording “The Trio” (Chicago). Part of an in-depth study of Ray’s playing and musical “lineage.” The Lester Young recording with Slam Stewart, which is heavily referenced here, will follow soon.
Jimmy Blanton - Pitter Panther Patter
Jimmy Blanton’s full part off of his duo recording with Duke Ellington, “Duke Ellington and Jimmy Blanton” - 2009 (reissue). 4th part of that study I mentioned earlier in Ray’s Tricotism transcription.
Christian McBride - Soul Cowboy
One of my earlier transcriptions. I remember being pretty fascinated with the idea that someone could get around the bass with such ease. Though I think my playing’s gone in a wildly different direction since, this was an important landmark.
Christian McBride - Question and Answer
From a similar time period as the Soul Cowboy transcription. Both are with Pat Metheny and both are taken from bootlegs I no longer have… must have been on a kick.