🎁 Sonny Rollins – “On a Slow Boat to China” – FREE PDF Transcription

🎷 Explore the Charm of Sonny Rollins’ Melodic Genius – FREE PDF Transcription

This solo by Sonny Rollins on “On a Slow Boat to China” is a perfect blend of lyrical phrasing, motivic development, and signature bebop fluency. It’s relaxed, swinging, and a joy to study — one of those rare moments where complexity meets elegance.

Whether you’re interested in how Rollins constructs lines over a ballad tempo or you just want to internalize some solid jazz language, this transcription delivers.

I’ve transcribed it note-for-note and formatted it cleanly for B♭ instruments (as originally played). And yes — it’s completely free.

I’ve transcribed the whole solo note-for-note, and now you can grab the PDF to study it bar-by-bar — completely free.

🎼 This PDF Lets You Explore Rollins’ Lyrical Phrasing and Space

Unlike some of his high-octane solos, this one showcases how Sonny Rollins can say more with less. The slower tempo gives space to hear every nuance — the bends, the breath, the swing.

It’s an ideal transcription for studying pacing of ideas, motivic development and breathing room in phrasing.

Use it to deepen your internal time, improve your melodic logic, and understand how Rollins builds emotion without rushing.

📘 What You’ll Get in the PDF:

✅ Full transcription of Sonny Rollins’ solo on On a Slow Boat to China

✅ Clean formatting with chord symbols for context

✅ Transcribed in B♭ (Tenor Sax) key and Concert Key

✅ Ideal for learning phrasing, motivic development, and jazz articulation

🎯 Why This Resource Is for You:

• Learn how Rollins makes space and breathes through the lines

• Study his phrasing at a more relaxed tempo

• Use this solo as a daily warm-up or transcription etude

• Great for intermediate players looking to deepen their feel for classic jazz

💬 What Musicians Are Saying:

“So much to learn from just a few choruses — Rollins says more with less, and this helped me catch that magic.”

— Tomasz L.

📥 How It Works:

1. Set the price to 0 → click “I want this”

2. Enter your email and download instantly (free!)

3. Open the PDF and start exploring the lines

4. Rewatch the video — or use the solo as your own study material

👤 About the Author:

Martin Uherek is a jazz saxophonist and educator dedicated to helping musicians improve their fluency, vocabulary, and confidence. His lick packs, transcriptions, and solo studies are trusted by jazz learners and teachers worldwide.

🔗 Stay Connected:

• YouTube Channel: Full solos, breakdowns & tutorials

• Instagram: Behind-the-scenes jazz content

• Gumroad Store: Lick packs, transcriptions, and more

🎷 Grab the PDF and study Rollins’ lyricism in motion — free, clean, and ready to play.

⚖️ Educational Use Disclaimer:

This transcription is offered for educational and informational purposes under fair use. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the original copyright holders. All rights remain with their respective owners. Optional payments support transcription work and jazz education efforts only.