Transcriptions for $

[Lori Sweeney]

Since this is a composer's forum, I don't know if this subject is taboo or not BUT I frequent a lot of piano music sites and have been offered payment to do transcriptions. I've done them no charge in the past just for the challenge but I am now in a financial crisis. I found very few sites on the net that will name prices but the cheapest I found was .70 cents per measure, and that's just for a lead sheet. I DO NOT do lead sheets, I do full piano arrangements. I am currently transcribing a complicated oriental piece for my 1st paying customer at .50 cents per measure. A bargain in my opinion but then someone came along and offered me $50 to do a 42 second (approx. 15 measure) transcription. Does anyone know how a full piano transcription by ear should be charged? By measure, by time, by difficulty, etc.?

[Marius Amado-Alves]

I know a lot about (c) and contracts because of my work with software. The issues are pretty much the same.

[Lori Sweeney]

OK I officially hate transcribing! I'm charging far too less for what it's worth, I'm getting no satisfaction from copying a work from ear (especially when I get stuck!), and I'm not able to use my own creativity!! AND NOW people that I've done them for think they can just throw a dozen or so measures of a piece at me (such as an intro), TELL ME it will only take me 10 minutes, AND NOT expect to pay me!! WHEW thanks for letting me vent........Anybody with me on this?

[Marius Amado-Alves]

Please do not hate transcribing. Transcribing is a high skill. You got to enjoy it. You only have to (demand to) be fairly paid for it. And use the right metric: the note (not the measure). (Like in language translation, or proofreading, where they use words, not lines.)

[Lori Sweeney]

You're very kind Marius. Thank you for the encouragement. I was just having a bad evening. I worked through it and feel much better now. I shall forge ahead :)

[Lori Sweeney]

Ah yes, well you did remind me earlier that you had clocks over on that side of the pond. Thanks Simon and I definitely like your prices better than mine. I'm going to finish the ones that I've already quoted at rock bottom prices and work up from there. It does all depend on the difficulty level I suppose.

[Grant]

I would charge what you think your worth and if others don't like it be polite but tell them your not interested in their business. Lets face it, some people will be a jerk if they know you'll give in.

I think those who are willing to pay your worth will be much better to work with, let the jerks take advantage of someone else. I know guys (and girls) that teach guitar for over $200/hr and they get nothing but sarcasim from the average person yet these people have waiting lists several pages long and they make alot of money!

People are willing to pay for quality, its the ones that feel obligated to a skill they have yet to develop that are the problem.

[David Castagna]

ONE FLAT FEE !! You should charge them as much money as you can get ! Why ? Because you broke you rear end doing the best job you can do. And if your good at it and your transcriptions are true to the original you should be payed lots of money.

Tell them they can go to someone else if they question you about your price.

That how we do it in New York !! lol

Hi Lori .
Nice meeting you.

Dave.

[Lori Sweeney]

Nice to meet you too Dave. So one flat fee would be what? My transcriptions are close to, if not true to, the originals. When I say close to, it means some "songs" with several voices, need to be made piano friendly. That requires my vision of the song, if I were to want the piano music for myself, as true to the recording as possible. For piano solos, they are dead on. If I could forward emails from customers, they would say 'Perfect, don't chage a thing!" and "How the hell do you do that?" and "Amazing, wish I could do what you do!"
Now why was I under the impression that everyone could do this? I really was! Apparently that's untrue. Still baffles me. BUT where do I find people that are willing to pay for the quality work that I provide? New York?

[Xcid]

I just have to say WOW, not sure how you do all what you do, what a skill !

[David Castagna]

Sorry Lori for the long delay getting back. I would put an add in the back of magazines like Keyboard magazine, recording magazines , craigs list , anywhere where real players are reading these.

I know when it comes to quality , I will pay anything if it's real good and I know the person's work is worth it.

David .

[douglas mccann]

lori, i just listened to 'fugue' this is really quite powerful and brilliant... as the bass is so distinct i was wondering if it's two tracks? thank you for composing such original, intellectual and touching music... i am so inspired

douglas

[Lori Sweeney]

Wow Douglas. That's quite a compliment and I really appreciate it. Thank you!