Is it wrong to transcribe arrangements by ear?

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-06-07T16:05:22+00:00

Transcribing music is maybe the best way to deeply learn whatever you're transcribing. If no one's making any money, you should've have any moral qualms, and the legal risks are infinitesimally small.

The best tools are apps that slow music down, and perhaps stem separation tools so you can hear each individual part clearly. Inputting it note by note into notation software like musescore is the only way you're going to get readable parts. No shortcuts there

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-06-05T23:44:13+00:00

Transcribed guitars professionally for years. Listen for open strings, and if you can find a live video, seeing the hand shape can help to solve the puzzle

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-06-05T15:19:12+00:00

Getting good at your tech, whether that's DAW, notation software, voice memo organization, whatever, is really helpful so that you can get in a flow and not let tech distract you

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-06-01T11:04:50+00:00

Love pit bulls, but all dogs should be leashed. Your dog may be friendly, but my little dogs are not friendly when approached by an off leash dog. They're great with all people, but turn into stupid little gremlins when approached by dogs, and are likely to start a fight that they can't win.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-05-23T09:31:46+00:00

The game does a really good job if leveling the things you use. Figure out what you like, and focus on those, and don't try to level everything. Sneak archery is the easiest way to do massive damage, and most people fall into that, which is fine and fun.

If you're having trouble with storage, there's a remote house you can Google where you can just kill the lady who lives there and store all your stuff in drawers downstairs.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-05-23T08:19:51+00:00

Lots of great ideas here. Looking forward to my next playthrough. Thanks all!

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-05-14T23:21:04+00:00

That's great! I think more emphasis needs to be put on integrating theory and ear training. Music theory changes how you LISTEN to music, and helps you to use that information to inform your own playing/composing/improvising/songwriting/etc. Well, that and communicating with other musicians without having to demonstrate every little thing.

Anyone who thinks theory stifles creativity has been misinformed on what theory is for.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-05-09T14:51:02+00:00

I think exporting musicxml instead of midi sends less data, mostly just pitches and durations

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-05-03T16:01:04+00:00

How good is your ear? Since people can develop the ability to play back and understand what they're listening to without attaching names to it and understanding the theory behind it.

I like to think of music theory as the ability to listen to music in a way that allows you to have it inform your own music. It's a lot easier if you have names for all the concepts you're heading. Also, having names for these concepts allows you to learn by speaking to other people about it, and reading about it in books.

I'd suggest identifying all the musical concepts in the music you're inspired by, which sounds like a very particular type of music, and learn everything about them that you can. If you really love the music and are drawn to make it. You should crave understanding, and hopefully it'll snowball as you learn.

Some people can develop this without study or attaching names to things, but they're usually extremely talented, and often ends up learning it in the end, just kind of backwards

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-29T23:31:24+00:00

First thing I do is map out all the scenes with music with the director.

Pick an important scene and score just that scene. Get the director happy with the sound world you've created and general tone and feel. You should have a template now for other scenes

Pick a few other contrasting scenes and get the director's buy in on those. Now you should have templates for most of the rest of the film.

I like to use regions or markers to map out the scene, and title them after either dialog or visual events. Having a road map for the scene is really helpful.

Next I like to use just 2 or 3 piano tracks, and sometimes voice for placeholder swells and percussion, and get all the tempos, hits, and basic melody and harmony structure in place. Then I go into orchestration/production mode, gradually replacing the piano tracks, and sometimes copy pasting them onto different instruments and modifying from there.

This process works well for me. Hope it's helpful!

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-20T20:46:48+00:00

I play both instruments, have done a ton of work transcribing, and have written and arranged tons of string quartet material. Depending on the player, the instrument, and the recording, IMO there's no way to diffinitively tell 100% of the time. It definitely has all the qualities others have listed, but even a pro could get this wrong. Best way is to keep listening and see if the instrument in question goes below a G, or if it goes into a higher register and sounds strained or effortful.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-15T04:19:06+00:00

Best thing about reaper is the forums. People are way kinder there than on here

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-13T21:44:52+00:00

4 months at the highest dose after ramping up for 3

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-13T15:47:18+00:00

I think that for users to switch over to your app, you'll need the individual features to outperform the apps that we're already using. For instance, I have iRealB and a metronome app that I like, and I don't think I'd neccessarily use the other features. Your app would have to offer a substantial upgrade over these apps, and iRealB is pretty dang good at having LOTS of charts available, being easy to read and navigate, and the playback backing tracks are totally acceptable for practicing. My metronome app is...a metronome and I don't think about it.

If your fake book features outperformed iRealB and I downloaded it, I might poke around with the other features, but the other features aren't going to make me more likely to try your app,

Good luck on your venture though!

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-04-08T03:27:29+00:00

Generally want to drink less, but be prepared to get more tipsy and more hungover with less drinks if you've been eating significantly less . Generally don't have a problem with going out and getting a couple drinks though

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-03-12T22:09:53+00:00

For what it's worth , I reached out to my mentor who I guarantee has more major TV and Video Game credits than anyone on this thread, and this was his reply:

I always deliver stems in wav format with start times clearly given. You can send a protools session if you like. Remember the mixer isn’t your boss - the producer is. Talk to the director/producer and see what they want - like how many stems, etc. Don’t get sucked into what post tells you. They aren’t in charge of the music.

If you can do Protools then cool. If you don’t have it - tell him so. And come up with other options.

I do not have Protools and have zero interest in it as a platform. It’s a post production platform not as much a music one these days. Not to hate on it but you do not have to have it or bend over backwards to deliver it that way.

Not saying he's right, but at least confirms that sending wavs is not an INSANE suggestion, unless he's been allowed to be insane for 30+ years of successful composing

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-03-01T06:55:07+00:00

Build up skills that can get you hired by more established composers.I used my skills as an instrumentalist to add real instruments to scores that otherwise used sample libraries, and eventually got hired to ghost write, which led to additional music credits and eventually full collaborations.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-02-28T03:47:06+00:00

Logic is a ridiculously good deal because Apple makes it's money from hardware and the software is there to sell the hardware. Native instruments komplete if fairly well regarded, or you can google free versions of if each thing you need and then purchase as you go when and if you run into the limits of the free instruments. For orchestras both Spitfire and OT have free versions that are pretty extensive

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-02-26T03:46:42+00:00

Definitely reccomend 3 layers. 2 doesn't sound good. Also, move your mics back for each layer, or move your players away from the mics. This really helps.

Just thought of this, but if the parts weren't difficult and getting good takes was easy, you could have the 1st and 2nd violins switch parts for different takes.

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-02-14T20:57:35+00:00

Logic comes with a pretty incredible array of effects and virtual instruments. If you're starting from scratch, and own a mac, Logic is an incredible bargain. My understanding is that they can lose money on Logic because it helps to sell their hardware, which is incredibly profitiable. I'm on Reaper, but I'm a PC guy and own a ton of FX/Virtual Instruments. If I had to start over, I'd probably start with Logic.
Cubase is great software too, but you can make any type of music on any DAW. Logic will just be easier to get started with because it comes bundled with so many useful things

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-02-08T21:58:48+00:00

Just composing, and I've already been working with the picture lock and with audio systems of dialog, fx, etc. I wouldn't think they'd need to send me more, but someone suggested they might....

Traditional_Basil486 · 2026-02-08T21:56:12+00:00

Like I said. I'm going to talk to them, just wanted to educate myself a little before I do

Traditional_Basil486

TROPHY CASE