My Music Transcription Process

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But after thinking about it recently I realized that the things I am thinking about when transcribing music are a bit different than I feel most musicians are. I am not saying my method is the best in any way. This is just simply the way I personally hear music.

I will talk about various skills that you can use to become a good music transcriber, from a mostly intuitive way of figuring out a song to a more systematic and learned method. They are all legit ways of getting the job done. To be honest, you need to acquire ALL of these skills to be a competent music transcriber. Basically it comes down to, the better that you know a specific musical style or even an individual player's style, the less you will need to actually use your musical ear to figure out the song.

But learning to use an educated ear will always speed up the process and help you understand the music at a deeper level. That, in turn, will help you understand how to create your own music in a more inspired and efficient way.

I hope this video helps solve some of the mystery about how music transcription can be done. The guitar world knows me mostly as JUST a music transcriber, so I think i have enough experience in this over decades of work that I can point you in the right direction of what to practice and study to be able to hear and understand music at a much deeper level than you might have previously thought you ever could.

Anything thing ear training related that I do in the video is EASILY learnable. Level one alone of my ear training course will enable you to easily do anything I demonstrate in the video.

I hope this video helps a bit in your music learning journey! Carl...

#howtotranscribemusic #vidami #carlbrown

[craigcurlee]

I played guitar in my teens a lot. I quit for about 20 years and now play regular again. I have learned more in my 50's from you, than I did from any lesson when I was a kid.

[jasonfredensborg]

After finishing the video, I had to comment again…This is seriously almost as good as taking a personal lesson from Carl, I can feel the musical knowledge rubbing off on me! I’d love to see more videos like this Carl.

[gdawgs]

As a private guitar teacher who is constantly having to learn new songs for students, thank you so much for this!

[kattycat]

Stopped playing in the late 80s. Life happened. 2019 dusted the old guitar off and realized I forgot everything I used to play.😂 I wasn't the best but I could jam back in the day. Kept going training my fingers for about a year. Then one day, I found you're chanel. Total inspiration. Now, I pick up on songs in minutes not weeks. Just like the old days. Thanks for your hard work and inspiration. Anybody new at this, stick with Carl. Best Chanel for learning 🎸

[joshyepyepzo]

Carl genuinely brought electric Guitar into my life, and I can honestly say that other than working out, Guitar is the only thing in my life that I have ever been truly passionate about, its one thing and everything linked to it that genuinely excites me. 95% of what I know is from Carls teachings, I would literally freak out if I saw Carl in person

[jamesfallon]

You made my day - the Vidami is exactly what I have been looking for to track myself in Protools!

[viktormedina]

@GuitarLessons365Song I recently discovered your channel. Thank you for inspiring me to pick up the guitar again after 27 years. Much respect for everything you do, sir. Your tutorials are amazing!

[Priyanujkalita-zt]

I have always wondered how the hell you have created such a vast ocean of content in the internet. Thanks for making a video on this topic!!!

[MoStBlEsSeD]

Sensei is giving away his magic .. the axe throwing lessons must be on the way lol.. thanks for sharing brother... oooo new pedal and sponsor .. good times

[AceAskin]

I just got my vidami blue today and it’s awesome! Thank you for this video and discount code. I love it

[sarahkaroline]

I'm delighted Youtube Free Music Library not only found the solos on a certain person's lost phone but also the hitherto-unknown demo of Layla on a lost Walkman!

I studied music theory and classical music for 17 years, but the one thing I was not taught was modes, even though ear training and scales formed a substantial part of the studies. When learning a song by ear, I was taught to listen out for the tonic/root note and "work out the intervals" from there. As I progressed through the song, I'd "figure out the scale" This is stll the method I use now. Working out a song's key and mode by humming/playing a scale over the start (of each phrase) seems a quicker approach, so I'm going to give it a go on the next song I learn.

I'd also like to say a Big Thank You for all your tutorials over the years and this video. There are always notes and chords I can't work out, so I check with you(r tutorials). Here are some virtual trophies: 🏆🏆🏆!

[e_xcalibur]

Great video sir. I love seeing videos where you share things other than lessons

[vrocknet]

Hats off to Carl, this video demonstrates his gift and his willingness to share! I just wish I had this skill. There are many songs from 60s & 70s mainstream rock genre that have no YouTube videos or tabs or help to assist in learning them. Can't seem to get 'it' to sound correct like the record, like Carl does....but still trying! Thanks Carl, you the best of YouTube!

[chrisrose]

Carl. After being a member of you academy for a while now. Watching you do this and being able to understand everything you’re talking about in this video was amazing. Thank you for all that you do for us mere mortals of guitar.

[mattsal]

I love watching your song tutorials to learn songs and even sometimes just for fun, this was a great video! I like the more personal videos you’ve done recently, this one and the studio tour. Lessons are awesome and seeing content like this is a great variety too. Keep up the great work Carl!

[jasonfredensborg]

Great video Carl! I always enjoy seeing how the master does his thing!

[Goddzi]

Carl, your advice to “get the tune in your head” is the same way I’ve always approached learning new songs. Being in several cover bands, I sometimes get asked to play songs I am less familiar with. My method is to listen to the aongs on repeat over (sonetimes) a few days to get familiar enough with the arrangement and to begin hearing the note intervals before I even pick up a guitar (or bass, depending on the band). I once had to learn bass for Perry Mason by Ozzy. A song I was less familiar with…for four days before I even got my bass out. It was pretty simple after that. Thank you for the very insightful video 👍🏻😁

[PaulKirtley]

This was very interesting Carl. It was enjoyable and insightful to hear you work through some examples and explain the process you use. Thanks.

[AnriGuitar]

Ur a genius brother! Thanks for all the amazing video lessons! I’m gonna start making song covers with your help!! Thanks for all the amazing lessons!!

[briangisler]

Carl, you are the BEST, BEST, BEST on YouTube for teaching. I don’t know what they’re paying you for these videos/lessons but it’s not enough. My 15 year old son just LOVES you for learning guitar and
I thank you...