Piano Transcription Jobs
The world of jazz can be a wonderful hobby, but it can also come with some definite drawbacks. For instance, transcribing music is a slow process. You will need a discerning ear, excellent time management skills, and a hefty amount of patience. This means you can’t just jump into a piano transcription job without doing a little research first.
Aside from the obvious – reading the lyrics – there are a number of other things you can do to help you get an audition. In particular, make sure to practice playing the melody line on your instrument of choice. If you don’t have access to sheet music, ask someone to transpose the song for you.
Transcription training is a great way to learn the ins and outs of transcription. It’s important to understand the differences between a music notation and a transcription, and how to mark hard to read words. While you’re at it, a good dictionary can prove invaluable. Keep a thesaurus handy, too.
Are Piano Transcription Jobs Worth It?
When it comes to transcribing, the best strategy is to divide a piece of music into sections. Doing this will save you both time and effort. Also, it will help you learn to use the various keyboard keys to imitate the notes you’re tracing.
Another tip is to keep a binder. A binder is a great way to organize your sheet music and keep it tidy. But be careful not to staple the pages together. Otherwise, the music will fall out.
Aside from the binder, you’ll want to invest in a good word processing application. One of the more popular options is Microsoft Office. You can also use a program like Audacity or WordPerfect. As you gain experience, you may want to branch out into other areas such as audio editing.
Lastly, a foot pedal can be useful. It will let you play back the audio while you type. This can be particularly useful for bass lines. Be sure to keep your fingers hydrated.
If you have a little extra money, you can even hire an experienced transcriber to do the work for you. The only downside is that you won’t have full control over the quality of the recording you’re transferring. However, the payoff is well worth the effort.
A final tip is to take advantage of transcription websites. These sites are a great resource for gaining experience. They’re also a good place to find freelance offers. Plus, you can take an online test to see if you’re qualified to be a transcriptionist. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start competing with established transcriptionists. Most of these people have built a strong reputation and a devoted following.
Before you can start earning cash, you’ll have to complete an exam. The tests are usually short clips, and you’ll need to score 90 percent or better in order to pass. Wait three weeks to three months to hear if you passed.
Finally, remember that your time is valuable. Transcribing is a time-consuming job, and you’ll be working alone for hours on end.
