Photo credit: Parker Miles Blohm
Coltrane Transcription: "11383" (newly Discovered audio)
In 1963 Coltrane was in the midst of a groundbreaking period of artistic exploration. Yet again, the world's great saxophone master was redefining his stylistic approach to the horn. The lengthy modal compositions which he performed on stage became more and more a harbinger of his abstract work to come. Despite this, Coltrane's in-studio recorded output during 1963 reflected little of this work.
A newly released minor blues track entitled 11383 (a title derived from an in-studio cataloging system) has Coltrane performing a beautifully structured, and quite understated solo on soprano. This recording was released earlier this week in anticipation of a full-length record called Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album. This album is a welcome gift from one of the 20th century's most innovative artists, and a band in the midst of their finest work together. I'd also like to point out that on the whole this is a very approachable solo, and it could be a great teaching tool for students. I hope you enjoy this transcription!
PDF (click the link below)
John Coltrane 11383 Transcription
03/30/2016 (Continuous Resonance Solo Project)
Neil Welch Continuous Resonance Solo Project 2016
Date: 03/30/2016
Location: Practice Room C at South Whidbey High School. Langley, WA (Whidbey Island)
Instrument: Soprano saxophone
Notes:
This improvisation explored a common pitch center with melodic actions occurring above and beneath it. I used primarily tempered pitches during this piece with occasional deviations into looping phases of overtones and multiphonics. The mid-register punctuations were created through flicking open the side G key, a key (at least to my knowledge) unique to more modern soprano saxophone exclusively.
The image Trembling Landscapes-Beirut accompanying the post today by Ali Cherri.
03/29/2016 (Continuous Resonance Solo Project)
Neil Welch Continuous Resonance Solo Project 2016
Date: 03/29/2016
Location: Main performance hall at Chief Sealth International High School
Instrument: Tenor saxophone
Notes:
To record this improvisation I placed my mic in the back of the large hall, and I played about 50 feet away from it with my horn pointed towards a wall. The room captured a wide array of sounds from the horn during this piece, including percussive key clacking, lower register difference tones, and layer upon layer of polyphonic chords. This work was inspired by and dedicated to there Seattle percussionist Evan Woodle and his recent lengthy work for solo drums.
The image Instrumentals accompanying the post today by Shannon Exner.