I am terrible at writing things out..

[Shaun SS]

Ok, I got the notes and the rythm in my head. I can play the parts to a tee, but I can not put them on paper. I am trying to write out 5 songs before rehersal this Sat and just cant write rytms.. I can read rythms but can't write them. If anyone has a copy of the horn parts for these songs, you will be by hero..

Going to the Chapel - V.O. Singers
Let's stay together - Al Green
Jesus is all right - Doobie Brothers (Really done by guitar on the recording)
I'll be the fire - Eddie Money
Wedding March

Some day I will be compitent and can write sheet music..

[Andrew]

If you can play it very well, then just try slowing down and writing w/a metronome. Like half speed should be slow enough to get them.

[Bootman]

Play them in by midi keyboard at a slow tempo. If you don't try to do it then you will never be able to write these rhythms out. You will also find that you will learn a lot by doing it and it will help your sense of rhythmic timing immensely.

I would urge you to try it for yourself, do it one bar at a time. Break it down to manageable chunks.

[Shaun SS]

I agree it would/will help me a ton once I figure it out, I just need to try and have it done by Sat for rehersal. I have tonight to get it done. Hmmm

[Ctenorman]

I agree that using a keyboard is the best way to enter something in. However, I know I'm not as strong on keyboard as my horn, which is something I'm working on, but there is another option. If you get a sequencing program, like powertracks, you can often play the notes you want into the program using your horn, or anything you like, and the program will notate it for you by analyzing the audio. It's not always 100% accurate, but as long as you're clear, stay on time to a metronome, and don't do any bending or special effects, it can work somewhat ok. Just a bit of tweaking at the end is required. Granted, if you can play it on a keyboard, it's way way better, and that's what I do now. But if you're not able to do it on the old piano, this might be another option. Powertracks is a great program for this, it's at www.pgmusic.com, I think it's about $49, and it includes everything you need to produce an entire CD and then some, it's really amazing. Good luck,

Scott[/url]

[tenorman canada]

This is an interesting topic and the problem you're expressing is not all that uncommon. I've been writing horn charts for an R'n'B band for the last 5 years and it amazes me how frequently my parts have mistakes in them. Recently I started working with Sibilius, a notation program. I still input each note with my mouse, just as I would with a pencil and paper. I do it to improve my skill-level. The beauty of a notation program is it will play your work back for you, then you hear your mistakes. Just keep at it till you get it right.

As for the deadline you're under, I'd suggest getting some help for this time.

[Wailin']

I've addressed this topic when we were on the old site. Many claim its better to transcribe with the horn itself. That's if you dont play keyboard. Since I've played keyboard for 30 years I can agree that transcribing with the keyboard takes away a lot of pain and offers more gain than blowing with the horn itself. Think about it...you blow and blow trial and error phrases which exhausts your embouchure sooner than picking out notes on a keyboard. Once you've picked out the correct notes and written them on paper even if they're mistakes then you go to the horn and try to make it soon exactly like the recording.

Unfortunately, my notation is also not up to par. I hear all the notes correctly but my placement of the notes within the bar needs a lot of work. My best assistant is noteworthy or melody maker software to automatically show me how many more beats remain etc. I'd encourage anyone to get Transcribe software. You get to hear a lot of stuff that many great performers do that we dont really notice with casual listening. Then you say to yourself...mmmm...listen to all those pretty extra notes...those are the ingredients that's giving him or her the popularity and admiration.

[Frank D]

I agree, developing keyboard skills and MIDI play-in is the way to go, however I've avoided that by using the Casio DH-100 MIDI horn. True, it's a bit clunky, but I've cranked out dozens of lead sheets by typing the changes into BIAB, then playing the melody on the Casio. You can then hear the playback in BIAB, and correct mistakes via mouse. I've developed this into a side business for some recording sessions I've done, supplying lead sheets to composers who aren't proficient at notating their songs.

[Jazzed]

You might want to improve your transcribing skill by working backwards. This is what helped me.

Take a piece that you already know that you have a chart of. Notice how the notes, rests etc. are written out. Then apply these concepts to what you are trying to transcribe yourself.