Saxophone Forum


by lovemytenor
(6 posts)
18 years ago

Programs to slow song for transcription?

I need to transcribe Sonny Rollins' solo on Tenor Madness for my lessons, but there are just some notes I can't make out because they go too fast. Anybody know of any free program that slows an mp3 down?

Reply To Post [Report Abuse]

Report Abuse

Replies

  1. by jamterry
    (573 posts)

    18 years ago

    Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

    It sounds like you need help, and your teacher is the go to person. Have your teacher run the board for you and take it piece by piece. When I was a kid I would learn stuff five notes at a time. The most important part is the articulation. Don't make it sound like karaoke. All these software products are great, but I recommend jamming with real people. Don't expect to nail this solo overnight. I think i've said this before , but I practice at a speed at which I can barely hold on. I do this to failure. Next I take a break, and come back and play it at normal speed. Then it seems really easy. I know I don't explain stuff too well, but I wish you all the best :) Terry

    Reply To Post Yahoo! AIM ICQ


    1. by golferguy675
      (600 posts)

      18 years ago

      Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

      There's a program called "Transcribe!", that allows you to select wavelength segments and slow them down. I'm pretty sure it's free, just search around.

      Reply To Post


      1. by sprintf
        (14 posts)

        18 years ago

        Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

        if you are , like myself, after free, secure, stable and fast software you are after then i'll suggest you try the GNU software on GNU/Linux OS there are about 300+ distributions on linux available on the net this the link distrowatch.com there are distros specialise on mulimedia. look around ALL GNU SOFTWARE ARE FREE

        Reply To Post


        1. by jamterry
          (573 posts)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          Don't be a Jim Flabbersole victim !!!!! You get a Jim Flabbersole book, a box of Band-Aids, and you'll never learn how to play. I have a sister who is even older than I am, and she can't sneeze without a sheet of music in front of her. It's not transcription that's holding you back. Hone your finger dexterity, articulation , and dynamics. I'm telling you this stuff for your own good :) Terry

          Reply To Post Yahoo! AIM ICQ


        2. by sprintf
          (14 posts)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          jamterry has a very VALID point! yeah thats right, its like you can only read books but cannot listen and understand others conversation kind of thing

          Reply To Post


        3. by Sax Mom
          (964 posts)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          Whoa! Let's be nice, here. The original question was asked by a person whose age is listed as 19, though I didn't see how much experience. I know that when I need to transcribe something, it takes me quite a while, because I work full-time apart from my saxophone playing... It would be very helpful to slow the music down so that I could hear it in smaller chunks, more slowly, and find the notes for which I'm struggling. After a few years of experience in transcription, it might come more easily, and more quickly, but for now, some of us can use a little help. The query was not for a program to do the transcribing, just to slow the recording down (without changing the pitch) so it's easier to transcribe--by ear!

          Reply To Post


        4. by jamterry
          (573 posts)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          Take it piece by piece. I just want you to learn how to figure it out. When I was your age we didn't say transcribe, but rather figure it out. Let me know of your progress :) I wish that I could be there to help you. Terry

          Reply To Post Yahoo! AIM ICQ


        5. by Dark Eyes
          (138 posts)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          If you can't find any alternative to doing it straight by ear on regular speed then you could try something. If you have Windows Media Player then you might be able to download the song onto the computer. In the Now Playing Options on the lower left-hand corner of the media player you can open it and go to speed settings and on mine it either lets you slow it down to about half the regular speed or speed it up to about 2X the speed. I believe that my program is windows XP so if you don't have that then I can't guarantee that it will work. All the best to you and try to stick with the regular speed "figuring out" because it will help you out more in the future than the slowing down will. Cheers, Dark Eyes (unloved thesis)

          Reply To Post


        6. by aznewt
          (1 post)

          18 years ago

          Re: Programs to slow song for transcription?

          Lovemytenor, There are at least two applications that satisfy your requirements. The first is SlowBlast! that can be purchased with several of the Band-in-a-box bundles. Works ok. www.pgmusic.com/slowblast.htm The second is ASD (Amazing Slow Downer) from Roni Music. This one is pretty good. www.ronimusic.com Hope you find this helpful.

          Reply To Post