Transcribing

[chopin2015]

How do YOU do it? Do you write down just the chords and then some melodies? DO you write out the embellishments and leads? Do you write out the solos note for note or do you write them out for yourself? Tell me all about it. So curious.

-J

[ajspiano]

Technically transcription would require me to write the content out, however I very rarely actually do that unless its for someone elses reference. I generally just commit things to memory on the spot by ear..  if I do write anything down its probably just the harmonic progression.

When its for someone else it's usually dependent on the teaching context..  improvs, general accompaniments in modern music would usually result in chord charts, sometimes lead sheets..  though of course there are occasions where a note for note (plus phrasing/dynamics) is required.

EDIT:
That said, I used to write things down..  such as jazz solo's..   at the moment I dont have to figure out anything much (for my personal use) by ear that pushes me hard enough to have to write it down. If I was actively trying to improve the skill in my daily practice I'd probably be as detailed as possible.

[chopin2015]

Thank you for your response! I am going for writing out all of the content for sharing purposes. Also I am going to have someone else look at it and write out some chord progressions/chart to simplify the reading process, it seems.

[j_menz]

I am going for writing out all of the content for sharing purposes.

Don't forget to let us know what jail you wind up in, then. Well send you a cake.

[chopin2015]

HAHA! My mom said the same thing. So that is pretty much what I meant in my post...How do you transcribe stuff? How can I share it with people, I mean friends. I am not trying to wire it all over the internet, should I write out my own take on things instead of the content? Tell me, j_menz! I believe in you!

[j_menz]

On paper, your own take, and limit it to close friends.  You might get a suspended sentence, or time off for good behaviour. 

[ajspiano]

It would also surely depend on what exactly you are planning to transcribe.

[perfect_pitch]

OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE... Don't get your panties in a knot.

First of all - thanks to YouTube, as long as you're not making any money off it, it helps to promote your stuff and there's no harm. My Max Payne theme arrangement has 68,000 hits and the companies never screwed me over. Hell - they're twitter blog even promoted my video and sent all their fans to watch it.

Same with my Pirates of the Caribbean transcription - 25,000 hits and Hans Zimmer hasn't been knocking at my door, waiting to pin me for royalties.

AS for transcribing?

If I'm transcribing? I write it out note for note, exactly as they original piece intended. How I do it? I can't say... it's just so automatic it's freaky. I assume the obvious way to do it would be to do what you can hear the clearest. If you can work out the harmony with ease, start with that to give you the harmonic grounding, then add the melody in. If the melody is very clear, start with that first, and use any aural training you have to identify the harmonies.