17 Eartraining and solfege exercises based on songs by the New York-based instrumental fusion band Snarky Puppy, led by bassist, composer and producer Michael League.
Exercises involve transcription, singing, counting, tapping. Most exercises contain several options, to match your own level.
Try to make the transcription exercises without the help of your instrument, as far as possible.
Link to Spotify playlist with all the needed tracks
Transcriptions & compilation by Peter Favier
Note: some of the Noteflight examples are still under construction…
a) From 0:42 or 3:26 – Write down and/or sing the bassline. First pitch: b
b) Which scale/mode is used here?
YouTube – View answer – Play/view answer
From 4:33 – Write down and/or sing the bassline. (2 bars or, more challenging, 4 bars) First pitch: b
YouTube – View answer – Play/view answer
a) From 4:56 – (4 bars) Write down and/or sing the two horn parts (which are also sung by the musicians later on). Key still the same as in ex.2.
b) Which scale is used in the first phrase of the melody (bar 1-2)? And which in the second phrase? (bar 3-4)
YouTube – View answer – Play/view answer
a) 0:45 – 1:00 – Can you keep on tapping or counting the 4/4 pulse during this part?
b) If you succeeded: try again from 4:57 to the end!
YouTube – View answer – Play/view answer
from 1:56
a) What is the time signature?
b) Write down and/or sing/tap the rhythm and/or the melody of the horns (4 bars, unison. First pitch: c)
c) extra challenge: another 6 bars (2-part harmonies)
From 4:16
a) Write down and tap the rhythm of the kickdrum (and optional: notes of the bass guitar)
b) Try to keep on tapping this rhythm during the awesome keyboard solo of Cory Henry.
from 3:41 (four bars)
a) Give the chord symbols of the played chords.
b) Make a harmonic analysis by supplying each chord with a Roman numeral (degree).
From the top: Write down and clap the rhythm of the hand claps.
From 0:45: Write down the bass ostinato. Key: Bb minor
0:26 – 0:41: Write down / tap / sing the rhythm and/or melody of the horn section part. Key: E minor.
a) from 1:08: What is the time signature?
b) from 1:41, still same meter and tempo:
try to continue tapping or conducting the meter during the whole beautiful flugelhorn solo.
4:03 – 4:46
Write down the melody. (16 bars in 2/2, played two times) First pitch: a
Write down and/or sing the bass vamp from 11:54 (or reprise from 16:35) Key: A minor.
0:39 – 1:06
a) What is the time signature?
b) Write down the drum groove (kick and snare, or for advanced: also ride cymbal)
2:19 – 2:40 (16 bars) Write down the melody. First pitch: g
Intro: write down and/or sing the chords (symbols and/or notes) which are played on Fender Rhodes. Root of the first chord is E flat.
From 4:38 (4 bars) – Write down the bass part. Key is E flat minor.
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