11721 / 18210 · Workshop 95 — Arranging by Ear from a Recording: Extracting Melody, Bass, Harmony, Groove, Texture, and Form Without Depending on a Lead Sheet← prev⊞ allnext →
95.158A practical 10-pass transcription workflow
When you sit down with a recording:
Pass 1
Form.
Pass 2
Pulse/meter/subdivision.
Pass 3
Key centers.
Pass 4
Melody skeleton.
Pass 5
Bass.
Pass 6
Harmonic rhythm/function.
Pass 7
Chord qualities/guide tones.
Pass 8
Important inner lines.
Pass 9
Groove/texture/register.
Pass 10
Signature transitions/touch/dynamics.
Only afterward build piano arrangement.