Photo by Tory Williams
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Download the Transcription: Bb, Eb, C, Bass Clef
Today’s transcription features Joel Frahm’s solo on the Coltrane tune ‘Grand Central.’ This track is from Matt Wilson’s 1999 album ‘Smile.’ I decided to transcribe this solo for several reasons:
- Joel’s time and feel are impecable at this incredibly fast tempo (about 300bpm!). What better way to practice speed and feel than by playing along with a great example of fast playing.
- The changes are moderately challenging; this is a tune I could certainly use some work on. Specifically I wanted to learn the first bridge the Joel plays as Db is not a key I’m very comfortable in. Seeing how he deals with the fast ii V’s as well as the Db7b5 chord are quite instructive as well.
Read on for my full analysis…
Continue reading