Here’s another great Michael Brecker tenor sax transcription to check out. It’s a short one of Michael Brecker sitting in with the Paul Shaffer band on the David Letterman show in the 80’s. This transcription was done by Joe Raia who is a local sax player down in Massachusetts and was nice enough to share it on Facebook. I actually found the transcription as I was cleaning stuff off my computer the other day and asked Joe if it was ok to share here on the site.
This is classic Michael Brecker playing over the standard Letterman show intro in A7 concert (B7 for tenor saxophone). This is a great example of Brecker mixing up the G# blues scale G#BC#DD#F#G# with the B blues scale of BDEFF#AB over B7. The G# blues scale which is also called the B Major Blues Scale BC#DD#F#G#B (notice it is the same notes as the G#Blues scale) is a very consonant sound and the only note with a lot of tension is the D which gives it a bluesy sound.
In measure 5 Michael plays a few notes from the B Blues scale which gives you a little more tension and bluesy sound with the F and D. It also introduces the A (b7th) into the line. He gives a little taste and then switches back to the G# blues scale until measure 8 where he switches back to B blues scale. Measure 9-10 is back to the G# blues scale. Measure 11-12 back to B blues again for the unison lick with the band.
Measure 13 until the end is just pure classic Brecker mastery that he was known for. Holding out the ending chord? Brecker’s going to crush it with everything he’s got! Love it!
Michael Brecker Sax Solo Transcription on David Letterman Intro
Michael Brecker Sax Solo Transcription on David Letterman Intro Bb
