This month’s transcription features the incredible Gary Novak—an absolute beast. “Ished” comes from the second incarnation of the Chick Corea Elektric Band and the recording Paint the World. This is the kind of tune that, if you’re listening in your car, has you doing 150 miles an hour by the time the saxophone solo hits—feeling like you’re ready to drive straight through a brick wall. From the very first note, it grabs you and doesn’t let go until the end, and Gary’s playing embodies that intensity. At around 147 BPM, don’t let the 16th notes fool you into thinking this will be easy—this groove is absolutely relentless. The ghost notes are razor-sharp, and the snare accents hit like an ice pick to the forehead. This tune demands serious chops. There’s no breathing room, just pure drive from start to finish. I highly recommend developing a controlled rebound (bounce) along with […]

May 2026 Issue