I’ve got dozens and dozens of transcriptions that I’ve done over the years. Some of them have been formatted nicely using either Sibelius or Finale. The other day, as I was listening to the Bryan Adams Anthology, a synth solo caught my ear and I quickly transcribed it. That got me thinking that I would like to share some of them with you. Well, here’s solo transcription number one.

Off Bryan Adams’ 1980 self-titled debut album, Remember is probably the best known song. I’m not sure who played the solo, it could be Gary Breit, Tommy Mandel, or Bill Payne.

Take a listen:

The solo builds in these ways:

  • By increasing the octave each pass of the motif.
  • By gradually bringing in 16th notes.
  • It peaks melodically at the end of bar 12 with the highest note of the solo, B.
  • It peaks rhythmically in bars 15 and 16 by a repeating 16th note pattern lasting a full two bars.

What caught my ear when I first heard the solo, besides the sound of the synth, was the 16th note pattern in bar 10. It’s very guitar like and a slick departure from the original motif. It’s also perfectly placed to lead into the beautiful and simple melody in bars 11 and 12.

Download the transcription:

Remember Synth Solo

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