Formerly known as Sonic Score, I have been a Finale copyist for over 15 years. My primary focus is to translate handwritten and/or recorded music into professional-looking manuscript. Publisher quality, customer tailored; competitive rates. Most recently I started doing copywork in Sibelius in order to be familiar with the two leading pieces of software in the notation industry. For a full listing of the services offered read below.
Please look to the side and view samples of my work, and some handy downloads for your music writing needs. The samples have been created especially for this page or are actual charts I have done for various clients throughout the years.
Some charts have been downloaded often, or requested for sale. Transcriptions can be done in addition to the following examples. I have transcribed single-line jazz solos, two-line piano solos, and hard-to-find (or non-existing) arrangements from recordings. If a publisher or website doesn't provide music to your favorite song, please e-mail me for service.
To view these files, you must have Adobe Reader, or a compatible PDF viewer.
Additional samples are available upon request.
The software I use for notation is Finale. Handwritten charts and/or sketches can be realized into this format; I can also prepare (or edit) existing Finale charts for printing/publishing. Although I work on a Mac OS platform, Windows generated Finale documents are easily translated. In addition, PDF files can be generated to overcome platform and software incompatibilities, as well as reducing paper usage.
Recently, I began using Sibelius and will soon generate charts via this software along with Finale. I am working hard to meet the needs of users of these two powerful tools for music notation. I also operate a project studio with Pro Tools 8, which can generate Sibelius charts from the audio sessions via MIDI.
Lead sheets are between $50.00 and $75.00 USD. This is my one set rate as of now. Factors in this fee involve transcription (from an audio source), Finale entry, number of pages, editing/clean-up, printing (and/or pdf generation), and time involved. Rates for other types of charts are determined by the density of the piece, number of pages, if parts need to be generated from a master score, formatting and printing requirements, and other factors. Corrections/revisions done before final printing are free. A nominal fee may be charge for new and/or detailed edits after the product is delivered.
Proofs are sent in PDF format with a watermark stamped on the piece (which is removed from the final). PDFs (and/or Finale files) of finals are provided for original work(s); for others (transcriptions, works for sale, lead sheets of existing songs, etc.) I generally provide printed copies but can provide a PDF, but a faint watermark will be applied; Finale files will NOT be provided, especially for transcriptions.
Please e-mail me to discuss rates other than lead sheets--I accept personal checks and electronic payment via Paypal.
Big Band Chart -- This was an arranging class project I did at the University of North Texas. The excerpt is from the Conductor's Score.
Choral Chart -- A simple folk tune arranged for a church choir.
"First Waltz" -- An original piece by violinist/composer/educator William Scobie (© 2001 William Scobie, All Rights Reserved).
"Spritely Capers" -- Another original piece by violinist/composer/educator William Scobie (©2001 William Scobie, All Rights Reserved).
Solo Piano Christmas Song -- A solo piano arrangement/transcription of a popular Christmas song.
Band Score/Vocal/Rhythm -- Based on work I did for a band, here is the master score with vocal and rhythm:
Vocal part (extracted):
Rhythm Section part (extracted):
8-line blank staff paper (.pdf)
10-line blank staff paper (.pdf)
Blank Lead sheet (.pdf)
Blank Grand Staff (jazz font; .pdf)