The Easy Way To Get Good At Music 

The first thing I transcribed was in April 2020 when I was bored during the coronavirus lockdowns. Honestly, they were pretty terrible. However, the only way I improved was by making more transcriptions. Now, the transcriptions that I do are so much better (some transcriptions are from freelancers I work with). They are not perfect and you would be daft to ever claim that your transcription was perfect - but it has given me a new perspective on music. Like as said in 3:58, it's more than just picking out the notes you can hear. It's about understanding and learning the fundamentals of a piece's melody, harmony, and rhythm. Even if transcribing something seems daunting, go for it. I had no transcribing experience when I started but there is no such thing as a useless transcription. Any transcription improves your own skills.

I can feel the energy radiating from Adam whispering, "It's time for you to transition to jazz adulthood"

"You can't be great AND be lazy! Those two things don't match." I'm going to make a sign and hang it on the wall with this quote. There comes a point with every student where they become conscious of their incompetence and at that point, they must choose their path. They can stay fat, dumb and happy and continue to play stuff no one wants to hear, or they can go home and not sleep too well until they get up and work through what's making them uneasy. We all arrive at this point. Admit it, that's why you're viewing this video right now! Welcome to your moment. You can just go back and hide in the pentatonic scale for the rest of your life OR, you can squirm and really feel that you are at a crossroads. If you're ready, my advice is to be gentle with yourself, laugh a little more and listen, listen listen! Are you still here? Don't you have something else you should be doing RIGHT NOW?

I can confirm, you really get better when transcribing alot. My first transcriptions was Michael Brecker on Straphangin', and now I got to Kenny G on Songbird.

So… I have a degree in Jazz Studies. I’ve done a good amount of transcribing. Probably a dozen or so where I wrote out the entire solo beginning to end. And countless ones where I just learned it by ear. I also have perfect pitch. So I’m kind of always transcribing whenever I listen to music. But when I do that I don’t necessarily get the feel. I was always told the real secret to getting good is learning songs in all 12 keys. Transcribing is great and it will help you develop your ears and learn the language, but I feel like it’s still only going to take you so far. And eventually you’ll kind of get to the point where you can do it on the fly. It’s like getting a snapshot of jazz when what you need is the full HD video. So what’s next? I think learning things in all 12 keys pushes you even more and gives you so much versatility. That and playing things in odd time signatures and getting really comfortable with soloing in them.

This is true for classical musicians too and it's almost never discussed, learning a piece by ear will do wonders for your understanding of the music, ability to grasp a piece quickly, and especially improvise and compose in the style of whatever you're playing (or in your own style!)

What's funny is I'd been avoiding this, but the way you describe transcribing sounds absolutely delightful.

Half the battle is giving ourselves permission. Thank you.

For years I’ve known that transcribing is the best way to improve, but I procrastinated it until recently, and I wondered why my fingers couldn’t crack the bebop sound... I’ve been transcribing Donna Lee and some Oscar Peterson from Motions and Emotions, and it is honestly the most fun I’ve had practicing in a long time. It was a steep learning curve, but once I got the ball rolling I can’t stop!

“Gentle Thoughts” is just one of my all time favorite tunes. And I thank you so much for this video. Makes me wanna get in the studio and practice!

I’m getting more and more serious about GOOD music. I have a thelonious monk piano book. I’ve never been told this as a musician. I am absorbing all of what my dad is giving me plus searching MYSELF what I know I need to get to the next level.

Just discovered Open Studio, I have learned more about playing Jazz in the last few weeks with the Jazz Jump Start piano course and video content from Open Studio than lessons from various teachers over the years. I'm bummed I didn't find you sooner but glad that I now have. Thanks for all the great content!

I developed the same method by myself, so rewarding to see that I am on the right path... AND I also believe that learning tunes by hart once you have played them many times reading them also helps a lot...

I must tell you this has been the best advice and utube video I have seen . I watch you other times, but today you killed it, I needed this . I am a beginner and piano is difficult when you learning from utube only. WOW this hit me in the core.

Interesting, I always found transcribing one of the most enjoyable things in music. I just love it. Unfortunately I have had little time for my musical endevours recently, but in general this is what I enjoy doing. Music lives within you, once you start doing this

Every day, without fail I try and work out a song by ear. To at least the chord progression level, and vocal melody if possible. Each week I choose one of my favorite attempts and try and do a complete breakdown. I then produce a breakdown video and post to my private RU-vid channel. It has helped immensely over this last year.

*Most things worth doing don't come easy* Thanks for this.... I think most people's fears of transcription is the idea that they have to write solos out. Aint nobody got time for that. This is brilliant

That was a great pep talk for all musicians. I'm a professional musician and teacher and I transcribe for a living and still this was an inspirational video. Advice I'll pass on to my students. Thanks for all the great content Adam Maness!

I’m a drummer (been playing for 2 years) and i enjoy transcribing drums on songs. I know drum transcriptions are easier (no tones, just drum parts) but it just makes me more appreciative of the drummers driving the songs, even if they’re simple to play to. It’s not just the big complex fills they’re playing, it’s also the spaces which the notes are not playing, acting as a breathing room so other instruments can pass thru sonically. Tl;dr yeah transcribing songs and reading notations really help me in my drumming journey.

That’s exactly the right way in my opinion too! I was lucky enough to study my first steps in jazz with a teacher that sent me to transcribe a Charlie Christian solo every week! It was hard at first and There was no RU-vid then to slow down.till this day i still transcribe once in a while when I realy like a solo or even an interesting chord changes.it realy helped me and I think too many players don’t go to listen to the recordings of songs they learn.they go straight to the chart or iReal app.they basically are playing blindfolded with no knowledge and the way it’s felt!

The thing (I find) that's made jazz so difficult to learn, is, essentially, being on my own for the long haul. No one at my high school was interested in jazz, I was the only person. There wasn't the internet resources we have now. The idea of studying jazz at conservatoire was not on the cards either. 20 years of confusion. Books have been almost useless. But I eventually realised you just have to teach yourself jazz (as in, devise your own study). You have to become an active problem-solver, responsible for your own learning, realistic with yourself (sometimes harsh...it's hurts but you have to transcent your pride/ego to really get better) and always think critically about what you're practicing. Now here I am, almost 40, still striving to get there, and the best progress I've made has been thanks to transcription. But man, it's been about the most delayed gratification there is. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!

This is one of first truthful videos about music & its reality's if your going to be serious about it. I have since I was little, at 60 now yes might take a while to get good, still do about 2 hours a day on Bass , Drums or production it just keeps getting better that way.I mean practice it is a mental thing just to go down & do it.

One of the best instructional music videos I've ever watched.

OK, this is the Flip Side of the big lesson in music I may have finally learned - Ear Training. Learning to Listen/Hear/Identify. That's how we transcribe. Listening is how we process music, we can remember what we hear, in a sequential, rote, repeatable way, AND we can also learn the relationships of what we hear, the relative pitches (intervals), and learn to narrow down the pitch we hear to the actual note on an instrument, so we can write, that down on paper/computer = Transcribing or Transcription. Right? And on weekends we can do Eye Training for learning to perceive what we see, for learning visual arts. It's all getting fun again.

simple direct on the point thank you so much , this video shoul be put on the music school TVs all day long

I’m primarily a singer and I’ve picked up a few instruments in the past. I learn best by ear and quite fast. I then went to college to study music and was told that learning by ear was worthless and baby I STRUGGLEDDD! Thank you for this video, I now have a little hope to continue my journey of music making. My favorite thing to do with song is to literally sing every voice, instrumental part even percussion, once I have that in my ear I’ll create harmonies, counter melodies, and even create different rhythms that can fit inside of the song. Now I just need the know how and courage to put it on paper. Would anyone have any suggestions to bridge that gap? I want to get into composing.

Cheers Adam, I needed to hear this today! Its given me a kick up the arse to get back on it 💪'thankyou Harry'

Thanks for this inspirational video. Needed that!

Loving the gentle thoughts in the background

Awesome encouragement Adam! Deepest thanks…and great video

Thank you! I really needed that today

Great video! Besides how much I enjoy the "you have taken this 45 seconds too long" quote. Your take on non-classical music is very helpful. I like the outline of listening 21 times, start singing (I"m guessing 21 times there is good as well), and playing on the instrument away from recording is a serious challenge. Your video on "Swing Your *ss Off" really moved me forward and I think this will help. Even for music outside of jazz this has been helpful.

I was learning major scales when I first playing by ear, and surprised myself on how fast it is compared to sight reading and feels more aware of what I am playing which leads to freedom of improvisation as well. I really hope I can get better at it

Every time I transcribe something my ear and my understanding improves. It's hard, but it helps. Thanks for this.

Your manner is so pleasant. You're easy to listen to. Thank you.

This was very encouraging! Thanks much!

Great video, and wonderful reminder of just exactly what makes us better! Thank you for this vid!

Oh this video hit hard - very much needed to hear this. Let’s go!

Yes i using your step before i transcribing, and for this weekend i try to transcribe sonny stitt "i can't give you anything but love"

Crystal clear, thank you. 🎶

Thank you so much for this

i come from a producer side of things, and i wanted to learn how to write melodies, i am not sure how this helps musicians, but, weirdly i interpret music better visually in my DAW, i would hear a tune, and i wouldn't really care, about the notes or the scale, but i focus more on the rythm and timing, the spacing between notes and the length of each note, that helped me a ton! so if i can add to this more by actually learning more about the theory( i know the basics ) i will improve 10tons, great advice over all !

This is what I need to hear. Thank you

Great video a important lesson it takes many a LONG time to learn.

Really loved this 🙌🏾

Such a sweet and friendly, enchanting and motivating video!

The new editing style is fantastic!

How can I sing a drum part?

I love th way you always give us actionable info. Such a great teacher. This was facinating..I love the idea that the reason I can't play usic better is because I haven't failed enough. its soothing haha,..Do more of those looping 'shorts' they are so good. More bassline ideas por favour. Thanks for the amazing content either way. Peace and love!

In all seriousness. This was a very eye-opening video for me. I like the emphasis on the ‘feel’ and that you are one of the only RU-vidrs I’ve seen attempt to convey the arduousness of the process. I think a lot of people give up because they think they ‘haven’t got it’, videos like this remind us beginners that we’ve barely scratched the surface, and all of the greats are simply people who scratched deeper than us.

THIS! Finally you gave the best advice on how to get good at music... BUT you can still do better The BEST THING you can do is transcribe WITHOUT THE AID OF YOUR INSTRUMENT, THIS is what is going to make you really good. It's HARD, like REEEEALY HARD. But it is what is going to make you THAT much better. The next level is to be able to trasnscribe something in your head (know what notes are being played) INSTANTANEOUSLY, in real time as you listen to the song. Again, this is INSANELY HARD, but it is doable, it really is, and is what going to make you actually in tune with the music you're playing!! Cheers! And good luck to those who are motivated enought to try and do it! 😁😁

Straight FAXX 👌🏾👌🏾. Save me hella time when learning to do thiS... Great video

Love this video thanks so much

yes you are right , I just transcribed a Wes Montgomery solo , it took me best part of two days . Now I have it in my fingers rather than just have read it.

I love this.

Fantastic advice. Tried and true technique.

Most people inspirational music lessons on RU-vid 🤘🏻

this video changed my playing.thank you

I never thought I could transcribe until I learned the C major scale in the open position. From there I had a choice of 7 notes to figure out basic melodies. Once I got very good at playing numerous melodies by ear/memory I moved on to simple guitar riffs/simple solos. As I got the knack of this I could easily pick out bass notes and then find out what chords were being played. So I guess I learnt lead before rhythm but there's no one perfect way to learn an instrument.

I needed to hear this.

Thank you!

I just learned to sing my first solo end to end: Chet Baker's trumpet solo on I Fall In Love Too Easily. Just from doing this once I find myself able to sing parts of other solos that I have listened to a bunch. I think it's a matter of breaking through that barrier between hearing in your head and externalising, which is of course a huge part of soloing in a lyrical way.

Best video on jazz developmental methodology

Impossible not to feel good, hearing this dude 😊

Great Lesson..THE FEEL Jewels

Thank you.

This is so true. Only when I started performing on a regular basis and learning a lot of new material did my playing really improve. The other thing I would say is do little and very often For me at least internalising the music was easier doing 15 20 minute chunks rather than salving over it for hours.

Good motivation!

dude thanks so much

Wise words and inspiring, best wishes to everyone! Transcribing - simple to understand (the concept) yet (imho) very challenging - nonetheless musically rewarding. I've also had good luck learning a bit of Beethoven and Chopin this way via playing along with Daniel Barenboim - different eras of music can sometimes be very different stylistically than other genres, especially with dynamics and fluid tempos feels. Also, changing pitches and speeds helps, too - lots of tools now for this (even with RU-vid plugins). For swing, I love to comp quarter notes along side Oscar Peterson recordings when I get the chance :) Always feels like I just went to some sort of rejuvenating spa haha

Currently transcribing an organ piece for guitar. It's an interesting experience for sure. Trying to transcribe a guitar piece for organ. That's a completely different experience. Trying to emulate a guitar string bending on an organ is so ethereal.

Awesome video!

Thank you for this. I'm not sure how this will help me since I am just a pianist and have never transcribed anything. But i have a feeling this would help with ear training, understand music theory implementation, and other things. I'm going to start with ridiculously easy songs that I like though.

You know, with all the RU-vidrs and ads out there promising magic solutions like “learn piano in 3 days!” “Learning piano/music is easy!” I REALLY appreciate the honesty around how much hard work and time it truly takes to get great at anything musical. It’s a grind at least 75-80 percent of the time and that’s why so many people quit music. You have to learn to fall in love with the process and the hard work of it all. One of my mentors likes to say, “Learn to love the process more than the product.” It’s actually encouraging to hear people talk this way about it like you are because then failure becomes a friend instead of a foe. To quote another great master: “The greatest teacher, failure is.”😊 Thanks for this and I’ll be checking out a lot more of your channel!

This $*** is SOOOOO good I transcribed/paraphrased the key points and made a damn wall chart!!!

Thank you

so glad i started jazz and learned the right way haha

I love your video!!!!

Adam, you are a cruel genius. Yes, I hate to do this. I guess I will try again and remember your words of wisdom. I'm going to try Blues Back by McCoy Tyner. It ranks up there with W. Kelly's solo on So What.

I come here and watch this video at least twice every month. All the motivation that I need

LOVE it 👏

I've been transcribing a Wes Montgomery solo all year. First transcription ever, and I like to hope that taking the time to just try it and keep trying and leave it and come back to it as much as I need to will help me keep developing. To be honest, my ear has improved so much so far. If it takes me another year, I'll get this solo

The easy way is the hard way, thx Adam !

Cool lesson on musician pursuit

To be honest, i only started learning music theory 6 months ago and i already transcribed two pieces of music.. All i can say is that i transcribe to really *feel* the music that i listen to, i don’t have perfect pitch (i only recognize some notes) so i use softwares.. Glad that there are these types of videos in youtube and i can binge every single one

I've done a lot of solo transcriptions, but barely any chords, and I suck at chords, so it proves the point. Time to do that

There is a jazz station on tv that has. all jazz tunes I listen try and play each tune one after another with the group on guitar and piano.i do it every day . Example windy wes Montgomery his solo or song for my father his Solo

When I was learning those typical yawn-inducing pseudo-classical pieces as a kid, my sight reading was abysmal, so I very much relied on playing by ear. I'd sit there paralysed with a new sheet in front of me. Once the teacher had played the new piece a few times (which I always demanded), I would be able to move forward, slowly, using the dots more like a crutch or safety blanket and I can remember the accidentals tripping me up more than my own auditory memory. I'd follow the dynamics notation, primarily, and let my 'fingers' remember the notes by drilling the tricky phrases over and over (according to my teachers' excellent advice). I still played bum notes but even though I could distinctly *hear* that they were wrong, I always felt this approach was "cheating" (and no it didn't improve my sight reading), but now I recognise that it's a totally valid/valuable way of approaching music that classical musicians in particular are often discouraged from indulging. Later I learned to play quite a lot of Bacharach, Jobim, Weill, Gershwin and others entirely by ear, and I completely agree on the importance of digesting the thing thoroughly first. (21 times? Is that enough?) I still know how to play those songs without a sheet, decades later. Most recently transcribing some old, very underrated Lionel Hampton tunes onto scraps of paper, but the *real* data storage is in my body, where it belongs. Yes it's still hard, but sooo satisfying. It's truly as if you can *make the song your own* and if you have ambitions to be an *interpreter* of song, rather than 'merely' an agent of faithful musical reproduction, 'owning it' entirely necessary. The biggest names in jazz didn't become big by sticking to the idioms on the sheet, they made *their own* versions of those standards the definitive ones. So I'm giving this vid the Jeremiah Johnson Nod of Approval and working on my sight reading, which (I'm happy to report) is finally getting better.

sitting here almost a year after seeing this and girl can i tell you this is as helpful a youtube video as you will ever see

Try starting with small bits, this way you can learn what chord progressions to play these bits over, and play them on many songs

Hey love that Herbie tune from Secrets, I think….wow that takes me back

BIG tool to use is to develop your distress tolerance! You HAVE to be able to have tools and coping skills on hand to work through distress involved and keep doing it as a habit At first you do the transcriptions NOT to get results or get better-but to develop a regular routine/habit Then the results will come But to develop the habit you need to address the psychological issue of effective distress tolerance and perhaps some emotion regulation skills as well

Amen to all of this, YEAH!!!!!!!!

Kudos on using ‘Gentle Thoughts’ in there. Herbie’s ‘Secrets’ is a masterpiece!

nice use of Herbie during the intro. "Secrets" is kind of the forgotten Headhunters record (tied with "Death Wish" soundtrack)

Gosh! And I thought listening 3 times was sufficient!? Thank you! Advice taken

I guess the silver lining in this was it does get easier the more you do it. I started learning R&B guitar a year and a half ago and it’s much easier to catch on to compositions because i know so many shapes, techniques, and progressions. Maybe the same thing happened I’ll happen with Jazz too

Good stuff....

Guilty, guilty and guilty. I rely on tabs and other people's transcriptions and have been steadfastly avoiding transcription for as long as I've known I was supposed to do it. Because it's hard. And I've tried and failed. And I feel like I must be missing whatever musical brain cells y'all were born with. So thanks for breaking this down. Not just do it, but this is how you do it. This is why you do it. This is what will happen when you try at first. And this is what will happen to your musicianship when you stick with it. Such an important and encouraging video. Thanks so much!

Title "The EASY WAY to get good at Music". 1st point: "It's NOT going to be easy."