First solo to transcribe?

[Bach5G]

Let’s assume you finally bought transcription software. What jazz solo would you start with? The goal is to improve one’s improvisation skills. Not limited to trombone solos.

[Elow]

I would find something online that’s already transcribed and then transcribe it yourself and compare.

[Rusty]

Have a listen to some Fred Wesley and find a simple one to start with.

[dershem]

Find something that inspires you to want to learn from. Something that makes you say "I want to play like that".

[JLivi]

Have a listen to some Fred Wesley and find a simple one to start with.

Shake Everything You Got on Maceo Parker’s Life on Planet Groove.

I started with JJ Johnson’s Just Friends on Standards Live at the Village Vanguard.

I like starting my students on Curtis Fuller’s Blue Train solo

Just transcribe whatever you want though. Whatever you’re currently digging. It can be a melody, solo, horn line. Whatever!

[Bach5G]

I hadn’t really thought of JJ. Seems like a good place to start.

[Shumanbean]

I don't know if you're still looking, but the Steve Davis side, Correlations, has a lot of tasty, modern playing that hasn't departed from JJ/Curtis Fuller tradition. Give it a listen, if you haven't already.

[Matt K]

A couple of very common ones are Miles Davis "So What" and Lester Young in "Lester Leaps In". Curtis Fuller on Blue Train is also pretty approachable.

[Arrowhead]

It can be anything. It doesn't even have to be a trombone solo. Just find something you like and go for it. If you have a buddy, have them listen to it and then analyze your transcription.