If you're looking for something you can't find online, I can transcribe to order for less than you'd probably pay for a lesson. My base price for a transcription is $30.00. This can vary depending on various elements. (note-- if you're interested in me writing western swing arrangements for you, here's an example I recorded. straubcountryguitar.blogspot.com/2009/08/panhandle-rag-straub-arrangement-for.html
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
(Karl transcribed various instrument parts from several Warren Zevon recordings. He then arranged the parts for three horns.)
"Karl helped transcribe my most basic head arrangements into three perfectly harmonized horn parts for my performance fronting a thirteen piece band. There was only one run through just prior to the show and so the notation had to be correct, and it was. His experience as a musician playing in many different styles makes him especially easy to relate to conceptually and I would recommend him for any project requiring a keen ear and an accurate transcription."
David Kitchen
PRICING AND POLICIES
MORE EXPENSIVE
Complicated music, such as chord voicings on a jazz record, 3-part harmonized lines such as you'd find on a Bob Wills record, Chet Atkins fingerstyle arrangements, etc.
These kinds of things take a long time to transcribe. It also takes much longer if you want notation, as opposed to tablature. Notation includes rhythms, adding a lot of extra work. I can also provide a video clip of me demonstrating how to play the parts, or certain techniques. That takes a lot more time, of course.
LESS EXPENSIVE
Single-note solos and fills are easier to transcribe. It's also easier for me to transcribe using tab only, and not notating rhythms. I prefer notation myself, because it's more accurate than tab, but if you don't read notation or rhythms, I can do tab-only quicker for you. The tablature will tell you frets and strings, but you'll have to figure out the rhythms on your own.
BULK RATE
If you are interested in an ongoing service, like taking lessons, I may be able to offer a discount.
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE VALUE AND COST OF THIS WORK.
I've already had some customers tell me my prices are too high. Naturally, I understand the concept of "what the market will bear." If you honestly can't afford what I'm charging, please tell me that and we may be able to work something out. If you think I'm overcharging, please consider the following information.
If you take a guitar lesson with a qualified professional, you would very likely pay even more than my transcribing price for one lesson. If your teacher has to write down something he's figuring out by ear, that takes additional time. This is assuming you can find a teacher you trust to figure things out accurately.
Transcribing is not like raking leaves-- it's very complex work, and not everyone can do it. I have a music degree and years of experience teaching and performing many different styles. I think sometimes people have trouble thinking of musicians as qualified professionals who should be paid well. Part of the problem is that there is so much free tab and online information. This conditions people into thinking they should be able to get tab without paying for it. Some of the free stuff is good, but much of it is worthless. There is also an awful lot of music you will never find free tab for.
I provide a service for people who are serious about music, and want their transcription to be accurate. I also am doing this for people interested in music that's hard (or impossible) to find in tab form. If I charged my hourly teaching rate for my transcriptions, my price would be much higher! I'm charging less than I think I'm worth because I'm trying to establish an online reputation and not scare people away.
PAYMENT POLICIES
At this time, I ask for payment by mailed check at the conclusion of the work. My address is Karl Straub, 406 Cloverway, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314. I can post the transcription while it's in progress, in case a customer wants to give suggestions for me to do it differently in some way.
MY TRANSCRIBING SYSTEM
I can email a file with the transcription to you. I usually post it on my private site, where you can watch it in progress, and print it out for your own use.
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU
Customers must make the recording available to me in one of the following ways.
1. Mail me a burned CD of the music.
2. Email me an mp3, using YouSendIt (www.yousendit.com/) or similar program. (Note-- if you have ITunes program, it's easy to make an mp3, drag it to your desktop, and send it it to me in an email using YouSendIt. My email address is karlstraub@hotmail.com.)
3. If the song is on YouTube, send me the link. I can usually transcribe from a YouTube clip.
I also need very clear information from you about what you want. This means a clear description of which parts, solos, chords, etc. I also need to know the timings of where a part comes in. (i.e. if you want a guitar solo, I need to know that it is 1:40 to 1:58.)
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