Bilbo

Oh, my giddy Aunt. This one is all over the shop. I am not at all sure whether this is an accurate transcription or a bit 'Heath Robinson'. There are passages where there is one bar of 4:4 followed by bars of 9:16, 3:4 and 15:16. I have no idea whether this is legitimate or whether I am missing a trick but the notes are all there, just not necessarily in the right order There is one passage in the late 80s (numbered bars) where I am not altogether sure whether I am hearing it right but, hell, these guys can play. Jeff Berlin's bass part on Bruford's 'If You Can't Stand The Heat' from the LP 'Feels Good To Me'). If You Can't Stand The Heat - Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

I remember attending a Jazz Summer School in Pontypridd in the mid 90s. There was a woman there who was a professional actor who wanted to have a go at Jazz. We rehearsed a tune with her for four hours, A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square, and we really arranged it. We performed the tune in the evening's open mic session in front of all of the students and tutors on the course. You could have heard a pin drop. The singer's first ever time singing Jazz in front of a room full of Jazz musicians and she got a standing ovation. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stick up.

And I means moments. I was listening to Steve Ray Vaghan's 'Couldn't Stand The Weather' this afternoon and I remembered doing a gig with a band I had never played with and never rehearsed with although they played together often. The singer called CSTW and the guitar player looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I had heard the song but never played it. When we got to 'that' bar (an extended gap in the groove which is 'wrong'), I don't know where it came from but it was there. There was a lot of grinning, mainly from me because I knew I could have fallen on my derrière and didn't. I remember another time playing a 'Blue In Green' by Miles Davis/Bill Evans with a guitar player and saxophonist. We were about to play the last chord (standard V I) and the guitar player whispered 'Fmaj7#11' and the most beautiful modulation I have ever heard happened. It was a rehearsal and no-one heard it but us but I still remember the feeling more than 20 years later. Then there was the jam session about 6 years ago where the pianist called 'Beatrice' by Sam Rivers and played the SLOWEST and one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever had the honour to play. Playing 'Isfahan' with Tony Kofi and the band performing a most exquisite and beautifully tense ending entirely by intuition. Then there was that posh, middle aged lady that sat in at a wedding gig and did the most amazing 'Tina Turner' thing I have ever heard. It's not always the big things; sometimes it is just the magic of the moment. Does anyone know what I mean?

I got this seven string a while ago for about £245 new. Ridiculous.

I am still working on these old Bruford albums I loved when I was starting to get my playing together. Jeff Berlin's bass part of 'Back To The Beginning' from the first Bill Bruford album 'Feels Good To Me'. The 'jamming' section is a tough transcription as the bass is not particularly well placed in the mix but, if you want to play along with the recording, the main details are there. Back To The Beginning - Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

I have seen the first draft of my forthcoming website. Tweaking is now happening. Won't be long now 😎

Another Jeff Berlin special. 'Hells Bells', the opening track from the Bruford album 'One Of A Kind'. There is one mad passage that I am not entirely satisfied with as the bass part is lost in the mix, even if you slow it down ( bars 89 to 101 - it is flagged on the chart) but the main sections are there. Again, the devil is in the detail and, whilst it is a hard chart to read, once you figure it out, it is not that difficult to play. Hells Bells Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

Another early favourite for me. Like Chris Squire, the tune is all tone. There is nothing 'chopsy' about it and it is a relatively easy read. I have always enjoyed this album and the bass sound that Martin Briley has achieved (using a Rickenbacker, I am reliably informed) is on a par with Squire but there aren't may notes so it is easy to play. Martin Briley's bass part for 'Animal Farm' from the Greenslade album 'Time And Tide'. Animal Farm Martin Briley Bass.pdf

I DID IT!! I have finally completed transcriptions of every tune from the Bruford album 'Gradually Going Tornado. This transcription is actually the easiest one off the album. I have no idea why Ieft it to the end as it is the first track on the record. Some tough syncopation to be read but it repeats a lot so, once you have it, you have it. This is Jeff Berlin's bass part for the track 'Age Of Information'. Age Of Information Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

I am always shocked at the low production values on Rush videos. The stuff that they played on those screens at gigs were always a bit iffy. IMO, of course.

Wow! This one is a monster. Jeff Berlin's part for Land's End, a 10 minute 'epic' from the Gradually Going Tornado album. There are some very 'vague' passages int he middle around the piano interlude but, with a little poetic licence, you should be able to figure this out. Some monstrous grooves at various points in the performance. I remember trying to work this out in the pre-Transcribe days and got the first few bars of the 'funky' bit but, after that, no chance. It is a thrill for me to be able to put these things down later in life and to see what he was doing. Remember, this recording is now 40 years old so JB was about 27 when he recorded this (he is 67 now) and was probably the era's most technically advanced bass player. Things have moved on since then (he would be the first to admit it) but this album remains a major influence on mu electric playing. I have only one more tune to do before I have transcribed the whole album Lands End - Jeff Berlin.pdf

If you want to play Metal.

100 transcriptions!! Another one I had been meaning to have a go at for years. Chris Squire's bass part to 'Heart Of The Sunrise' from the Yes LP 'Fragile'. Very weird experience trying to figure out the time signatures; 12:8, 6:8, bars of 5:8 and 3:8, some 4:4. Remember, this is MY interpretation. If you disagree with any details, that's entirely fine. Transcription is only ever interpretation and open to challenge. Heart Of The Sunrise Squire Bass.pdf

I saw Yes twice. Drama tour at Bristol Colston Hall (sorry) and once at Wembley. I remember Jon Anderson at the Wembley gig but I cannot remember the rest of the line up. Was it the 90125 tour? No idea. I think I went on my own so can't ask anyone. Chris Squire was a massive favourite early on. I have just finished transcribing 'Heart Of The Sunrise' which was a roast. Hope to post it on my archive page later today. * *posted

At least if you died on stage, you could use this to dig your own grave.

You are very welcome, Jarca.

I thought Wrathchild hit the low E on the 5th note of the riff? Not heard it in decades.

I enjoyed that a lot. (Kept listening beyond the first video)

Another one of Jeff Berlin's performances from the Bruford album 'Gradually Going Tornado'. This is the track 'Plans For J.D.'. another of Jeff's vocal performances. I have to say that reading through this one actually brings a smile to my face. The chart has some delightful details that I hadn't noticed before so, for anyone who is interested in these recordings, I hope you enjoy exploring the chart. There is a particularly strong section in the middle where Jeff is firing on all cylinders. Only two more charts and I have done the whole album 😎 Plans For JD Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

I am self taught, my friend, so I am liable to poor practices when transcribing. Will revisit in line with your comments. Just bought Gould's Behind Bars to try and improve. I wanted to do the Trio version, the first one I heard, but I couldn't find it and tried the OMO version instead.

Another of the tunes off the Cozy Powell 'Over The Top' album with Jack Bruce on bass, the source of my concept of a decent bass sound to this day. Some nice little grooves from JB. And having bought it when it came out in 1979, I have just realised that Don Airey quotes 'White Room' in the closing stages of the tune. How that hell did I miss THAT for forty years? 🤣 Theme One Jack Bruce Bass.pdf

Another Jeff Berlin transcription. This is 'Q.E.D', another track from the Bruford album 'Gradually Going Tornado'. Some tough counting in the early stages of this transcription and it is absolutely possible that I am not hearing the pulse correctly (I am thinking 6:4 listening to Dave Stewart's keyboards. Once the melody kicks in (played in unison by Jeff), the time settles down and it is easier to follow. Jeff told me that the tunes were always a mixture of charts and rehearsal arranging (I love that Jazz musicians are so approachable - I can't imagine getting a response from a Chris Squire (yes, I know he is dead, but you know what I mean). there are also a couple of passages where he is playing sliding double stops and octaves so I have tried to find a way to write it down but it nevertheless feels like a fudge. Anyway, have a look and see what you think. Q.E.D. Jeff Berlin Bass.pdf

All of my gear is from online sources, pretty much. Never been a problem for me but I do struggle with the idea that I need to find a bass to suit my specifications. I just think it is a bass or a guitar and it is up to me to play it not up to it to fit me. I think a lot of the details people agonise over are pretty much snake oil.

Did you see my April 1st post on my transcription page? It was the bass part for a tune off Music for Piano and Drums by Bill Bruford and Patrick Moraz. 5 people downloaded it. 🤣

No. He really is a a 57 year old Welsh midget.