My latest assignment is a transcription of a Clifford Brown solo from a recording of ‘I’ll Remember April’.
Below is an excerpt and a link to the full analysis:-
The assigned material for this topic is a Clifford Brown transcription of his trumpet solo during the performance of the standard entitled “I’ll Remember April”, originally recorded in 1956. The solo was transcribed by David Baker and presented to us in Bb pitch, matching the transposition of the instrument it was performed on. I shall be analysing the solo at concert pitch however so that the notes sound correct if played on a keyboard instrument or other non-transposing sound source.
Before analysis can begin it is important to correct errors from the original transcription. The following pages contain the complete excerpt (entitled A) with all the significant notational and rhythmical errors highlighted. These errors have then been corrected in excerpt B, and it is excerpt B that I shall then refer to when discussing my musical analysis.
The analysis itself shall be split into two sections. The first section shall deal with improvisational devices used on this 98 bar solo, it shall be a “bar by bar” account if you like of Clifford Browns improvisational methodology. It will include a table of musical devices as an appendix to the section.
The second section will discuss the solo on much broader terms, drawing the attention to the phrasing, dynamics, tone, density, style and overall direction of the solo played by one of the most acclaimed and influential trumpet players of the era.
Clifford Brown Transcription Analysis (Contact me for this PDF directly and I will email it to you)
Enjoy, thanks Mark!