Here is a great tenor sax solo that I transcribed a couple of years ago. It’s from Jeff Hellmer’s album “Peak Moments”. The tune is a standard called “What is this thing called love?” and features Rick Margitza on the tenor saxophone.
“What is This Thing Called Love” a great standard by Cole Porter that all jazz players should know. It’s a 32 bar AABA form and is pretty easy to learn. It has some cool minor ii-V sequences in the chord progression and I think it was the first tune I learned as a kid that had minor ii-V chords in it. Rick Margitza takes a killer solo in it. When I first heard it I knew I had to transcribe it. Rick plays a bunch of lines in it that really intrigued me and I wanted to see what he was playing and maybe get an idea of how he thinks.
I would really suggest listening to it so you get the sound in your ear. Just reading it off the page won’t give you the big picture. What really attracted me to this solo were the flowing lines and the way that he uses tension and release. Check it out!
What is This Thing Called Love Margitza Solo
Paul Maine says
Steve
Thank you for the transcription! I am also really glad that you have a link to the source song. You have made it very convenient to purchase the song you transcribed.
It is virtually impossible to transcibe every nuance in a solo, so listening to the the original song while reading your transcription provides maximum benefit.
Michael Mullan says
How exactly do you download or purchase the transcriptions…thanks
FYI. I’m doing this on my iPad and don’t see a link for it
Mike
steve says
Sorry, The download plugin wasn’t working. I fixed it so it should work now. Steve
Michael J. Smith says
Steve,
I don’t see a link. How can I get the transcription?
Thanks,
Michael
steve says
Hi Michael, Sorry about that. My download plugin broke. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I think I fixed it. If you go back to the page you should be able to click on the transcription and download it.
Cam says
Hi. I’ve looked up the Steve Hellmer album Peak Moments and the Rick Margitza solo is definitely not this one!!! Is there an alternate take or something?
Steve says
Hi Cam, It is Jeff Hellmer. Here’s is a link to it on Youtube. https://youtu.be/keGVJ_EZk2s
Cam McAllister says
Thanks Steve.