Adam Steffey transcriptions from New Primitive

Adam Steffey's New Primitive TranscriptionsNick DiSebastian has just released a transcription book that accompanies Adam Steffey’s New Primitive album. It includes standard notation, tablature, and chords for all 13 tracks on the album.

This album was something of a departure for Steffey, who had made his bones playing blazing bluegrass music. Here the focus was more on old time music, but with a bluegrass sensibility. Most are familiar jam tunes among old timers, with accompaniment from Steffey’s wife Tina on banjo, and Zeb and Samantha Snyder on guitar and fiddle respectively.

Adam Steffey’s New Primitive Transcriptions is available as a printed copy for $20 (+$3 shipping), and individual transcriptions can be purchased digitally for $5 each.

The book is the first book of transcriptions from DiSebastian, who plays bass as a member of Town Mountain. He has recently begun offering a custom transcription service where he will transcribe solos for guitar, bass, dobro, or mandolin, with transpositions offered from one instrument to another if desired. Pricing is determined by the length and difficulty of the piece under consideration.

He says that this service was inspired by the work of John McGann, one of his teachers at the Berklee College of Music, who died unexpectedly in the Summer of 2012.

Nick DiSebastian - photo © Michael Weintrob“My vision is to provide the ultimate private lesson for players as a means of expanding your knowledge through the use of your selected transcription. I believe that learning a wide variety of music is the gateway to creating your own unique personal style. Learning directly from the masters aids everyone’s musicianship.

As a transcriber I’m functioning as a time saver (by keeping you playing rather than deciphering) as well as an educator. My price includes the cost of time, labor and craftsmanship.”

More details about custom transcriptions can be found on Nick’s web site. The Steffey book can be ordered there as well.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.