Transcribing

[dkaplowitz]

Originally Posted by Carson123

So, i've been thinking....what are the advantages of transcribing a song? Please share your thoughts.

That's the problem...thinking about it rather than doing it. Let me know how that works out for you!

[semi-hollowbody]

Transcribing is something I want to eventually do, just dont have the time now...

But a question on accuracy...many refuse to use store-bought tabs (on line tabs as well) as they are inaccurate and prefer to transcribe themselves...but arent the store bought and on line tabs transcribed as well?? Doesnt it come down to the accuracy of the transcriber??

I can see not trusting on line tabs...who the hell knows who is doing it...but I assume someone transcribing songs for a store-bought book must have some ability/background??

[Jayboca]

Originally Posted by semi-hollowbody

Transcribing is something I want to eventually do, just dont have the time now...

But a question on accuracy...many refuse to use store-bought tabs (on line tabs as well) as they are inaccurate and prefer to transcribe themselves...but arent the store bought and on line tabs transcribed as well?? Doesnt it come down to the accuracy of the transcriber??

I can see not trusting on line tabs...who the hell knows who is doing it...but I assume someone transcribing songs for a store-bought book must have some ability/background??

Yeah, the professionally done tabs are generally pretty accurate. The notation is usually spot-on, but sometimes the tab is a bit wonky. But yeah, I wouldnt be worried about accuracy too much if you're using those books.

[ReddRanger]

Originally Posted by semi-hollowbody

Transcribing is something I want to eventually do, just dont have the time now...

But a question on accuracy...many refuse to use store-bought tabs (on line tabs as well) as they are inaccurate and prefer to transcribe themselves...but arent the store bought and on line tabs transcribed as well?? Doesnt it come down to the accuracy of the transcriber??

I can see not trusting on line tabs...who the hell knows who is doing it...but I assume someone transcribing songs for a store-bought book must have some ability/background??

It does boil down to the transcriber. The online ones are very hit and miss, but I've also seen store bought books with significant errors. These days, the store bought books seem to be better than they once were.

My issue isn't so much with trusting tabs. I simply find I benefit more from listening and transcribing myself.

If I'm transcribing something that proves technically challenging for me or I just can't get it at all, I'll reference other tabs to see how they compare with mine. Then I'll make adjustments if the others are better.

Then again, if a song I like shows up in Guitar World or something...I'll put on the music and learn it just for fun without transcribing it myself.

[wildshoetwt]

I'd transcribe but some chords just leave me absolutely stumped for hours, and it's not really as efficient as reading the tab from a book....then again some of the songs I really want to learn aren't tab so it's a catch 22.

[dkaplowitz]

Originally Posted by wildshoetwt

I'd transcribe but some chords just leave me absolutely stumped for hours...

Which is where persistence comes into play. I understand the desire to get the answer right away, and there might be time constraints that require you to learn a song in a hurry, but listening into a chord/inside a chord to pick the individual elements out, is a skill you can acquire. Just imagine how much easier transcribing would be if you'd stick to it and learn to hear chords as well as you hear melodies! And what's more, think of the kind of bandmember you'd be if you had ears that big.

[TuftySpoon]

Originally Posted by Jayboca

First and foremost, it teaches you how to translate sounds in your head to sounds on the guitar. I'm not sure if there's a more important skill for a musician to have

Very well put! Also, I've found that working to improve my ear through ear training and transcription has given me a deeper appreciation of music and a richer listening experience. My ears have seem to become more aware of the music, and I enjoy music more, which is a good enough reason as any I think.