John McGann
• PO Box 300678 • Jamaica Plain, Ma. 02130-0006 USA
telephone: 617-731-0475
Pay me securely with your
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card through PayPal!
Click on PayPal
logo above for more information.
FIRST
TIME CUSTOMER WEB SPECIAL!
10%
off 2 tunes; 15 % off 3 or more tunes
Mention "web special"
on your order form
International Customers: Take Advantage Of The Weak Dollar!
When shopping for a transcriber, be sure to check their artistic and professional credentials.
I'm
not the only music transcriber, but I've been around the longest
(Original Custom Transcription Service since 1981) for a good reason!
My
vision is to provide the ultimate
private lesson for players as a means of expanding your knowledge
through the use of your selected transcriptions. All music is
accompanied with technique tips and insights into musical devices,
knowledge acquired in my 29 years of hands on playing, composing,
producing, recording and transcribing music.
I
believe that learning a
wide variety of music is the gateway to creating your own unique
personal style. Learning directly from the masters aids everyone's
musicianship.
I am functioning not only as a time saver (by
keeping you playing rather than deciphering), but also as an educator.
The fee of $45 per hour covers the cost of time, labor and
craftsmanship.
There is never any obligation on your part
to purchase a transcription.
Simple version- send me a tune/tell me
what you want transcribed in what format/I'll email you a price/you
pay/I send. Details below.
TRANSCRIBERS
CREDENTIALS
My transcriptions and
articles have been published by:
Acoustic
Guitar/Stringletter Press • Mel Bay Publications •
Hal Leonard
Flatpicking Guitar
Magazine • Frets Magazine • Jazz Improv •
Bassics
Mandolin World
•Mandocrucian's Digest • Mandolin Magazine
Acoustic
Disc • Fingerstyle Guitar • AcuTab
and
elsewhere, including over a
dozen Homespun Tapes lesson books featuring artists such as Sam Bush,
Tony Rice, Gatemouth Brown, Richard Thompson, Ronnie McCoury, etc.
My
transcriptions of various Acoustic
Disc artists like David Grisman and Jerry Garcia, Jethro Burns, Dave
Apollon etc. are now appearing on David Grisman's Acoustic Disc site,
in downloadable .pdf format.
My
transcription of
"Panhandle Country" appears in the new 2-CD set "Bluegrass
Extravaganza" on Acoustic Disc, featuring David Grisman, Ronnie
McCoury, Sam Bush, Buck White, Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Frank
Wakefield and Ricky Scaggs.
I
am a musician interested in many forms of
music; I perform music rooted in various traditional American and
Celtic styles. I transcribe music of any style from rock and roll to
fingerstyle guitar, jazz bass, Bulgarian dance music, alternate
tunings, jazz bassoon, anything you want!
Pay me securely with your Visa, MasterCard,
Discover, or American Express card through PayPal!
Click on PayPal
logo above for more information.
Services Available:
CUSTOM
SERVICE: Handcrafted
transcription in your choice of standard
notation, tablature or
both. Chord symbols,
where applicable, are included. The cost is $45/hour transcribing time.
USA 1st class postage included (Non-US please add $5 per package for
airmail handling).
PREMIUM
PACKAGE: To further enhance the custom
service, I will record a performance
of
the tune at a slower tempo, with bar by bar explanations and technique
tips. The fee varies, in addition to the normal Custom Service charge,
depending on whether you prefer cassette tape or CD (digital studio fee
applies).
ARRANGEMENT
SERVICE: I can create
custom arrangements for
you (i.e. a piano solo arranged for solo guitar, a saxophone solo
notated for violin, classical guitar notation transcribed to guitar
tablature, any combination you choose) for $60/hour which includes a
manuscript and recorded performance.
PROFESSIONAL
TYPESETTING: I can typeset your music in Finale, the
premiere music notation software, for an additional charge evaluated on
a per tune basis, by your request. You may receive a laser printed hard
copy,and/or as an .pdf, .eps, .gif, .jpeg or .tiff file ( .pdf is
suggested). The .pdf files format is easy to email to you, and is a
good option for those in need of faster service.
To Order a Transcription:
1.
Record the
tunes or solos on a high bias cassette (TDK SA or Maxell XL suggested);
other options are LP records and commercial CDs, MP3, Minidisc, CD-R,
DAT, .aiff or .wav files. I can also work from DVD and VHS tapes, but
it please also include a tape of the audio portion you'd like
transcribed.
Leave a little blank space between
selections. You may record excerpts or entire tunes. If you are
recording excerpts or solo passages from a tune, please be sure to
record a few seconds of music BEFORE the start of the solo. Please put
your name and address on the tape or tape box, and label the tape.
Be
sure to indicate if you want the recording returned.
With
commercial CDs and DVDs be sure to
specify track numbers. If you burn your own, please verify that it will
play in a standard CD player. In either case, be sure to
indicate if you want the CD returned.
MP3s can be emailed
as attachments.
If you have trouble mailing a large file, you may download it to your
server and send me the link to retrieve the file.
2.
Download the Transcription order form,
in Adobe .pdf format which can be printed on any
PostScript printer. You can use the .gif
format
if you don't have a laser printer, or if your ISP is WebTV or AOL or
any other that doesn't allow clean downloads of .pdf files. You can
then list the artist and title of each selection.
If
you cannot download the form, you can list the artist / title
/ instrument(s) to be transcribed / format desired, on a
separate piece of paper. You can also email me the
information.
3.
Request the format desired (type of
service, tab, standard or both) and instruments to be transcribed (lead
guitar? rhythm? bass?).
4. Mail the recording
and form to:
JOHN McGANN
P.O.
BOX 300678
JAMAICA PLAIN MA
02130-0006 USA
Please use a padded
mailing envelope--don't use a letter envelope or your
recording will likely be destroyed or lost.
UPS, Federal Express,
etc. do not deliver to PO boxes. If you must use FedEx or
UPS, please email me to make further arrangements.
5. Upon
receiving your recording and
instructions, I'll figure the costs and return the invoice, or email a
price. Please include your email address for a fast response.
There is
always a 10% quantity discount
if
you order 3 or more tunes at a time. If you decide to order, send
payment promptly for a timely turnaround (money orders or cashier's
checks preferred).
FIRST TIME CUSTOMER
WEB SPECIAL!
10% off 2 tunes; 15 %
off 3 or more tunes
Mention "web special"
on your order form
Please make
checks or money orders payable to "John McGann". Personal
checks take 7-10 business days to clear.
I accept
credit cards via PayPal
from both US and international customers. Overseas customers may also
use Western Union's wire
transfer service (Payable in US Dollars), International Postal Money
Order, or send a bank check drawn on a US Bank.
Pay me securely with your Visa, MasterCard,
Discover, or American Express card through PayPal!
Click on PayPal
logo above for more information.
Orders are
usually filled on a first-come first-served basis.
Turnaround time varies with demand; average turnaround for
transcriptions is one to two weeks. You
may contact me via email at any time or
telephone 617-731-0475.
•
Special rush orders can
be arranged upon request (including optional Fax or overnight mail).
•
Please specify if you want your recording returned
with your order.
• Again, within the USA, first
class postage is FREE, Non US
customers should include $5 per order (as many
tunes as you order at one time,
not per tune) for airmail postage.
If
you choose not to order, please send $2 (US) ($5 Non-US) to cover postage
and handling costs for return of the recording.
A Word About Tablature
Pitch
is absolute,
but tablature positions are often open to interpretation. One must rely
both upon intuition, experience with the instrument as well as logic to
decide on the optimal position. Different players approach the
fingerboard in their own unique way.
Be aware that tablature is not
a
science and, although pitch will be accurate, the actual fingering may
be interpretive. Standard notation is advised for players striving to
understand chord/melody relationships and improvisational tools.
More readng on tablature here.
For Keyboardists:
I do not transcribe full piano
scores; however I can do right hand jazz solos, melody +
chord symbol lead sheets, etc.
I can transcribe tenor/plectrum banjo. For
5 string banjo, check out www.thebanjoman.com
For Horns and Woodwinds:
I can
transcribe for you in either your native transposed key or concert
key--please specify.
For Drummers:
I do not transcribe full drum
or percussion scores, but I can supply charts with kicks and
accents.
If you're looking for published
sheet music, I recommend
Sheet Music Plus.
They
have the world's largest selection, guaranteed low prices, and
great customer service.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: Are there styles you won't transcribe?
A: No. I have
over thirty years of
daily experience with music transcription. I studied advanced ear
training at Berklee, and have always been fascinated with learning
different styles of playing. My tastes are broad and eclectic, and I've
worked professionally in a variety of idioms, from rock and roll to
jazz, classical, roots and ethnic music.
Q: Do you have a
catalog of transcriptions?
A: No. Due to copyright law, I
cannot
make multiple copies of transcriptions. I am not a publisher. I supply
hand-crafted, individual transcriptions of material unavailable in
published form as an educational service to those who wish to improve
their performance skills.
Q: Can you email my
transcriptions?
A: Yes. Please inquire.
Q: How
do I know you are accurate? Trustworthy?
A:
Experience. I am The Original Custom Transcription Service, established
1981, and have had well over one thousand satisfied
customers, worldwide, professional publishers as well as
private customers such as these:
Customer Comments
"I got the
transcriptions
yesterday...they are wonderful! You got all the nuances that really
brought out the musicality of the songs. I was playing the songs within
half an hour! And I really appreciated the clarity of the
transcription, very clean, and easy to follow the song structure.
Thanks so much." D. P. Brookline MA
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"amazing,,,
woahhhhhhh- i love it.you are great, thanx- thanx-" T.P Reading PA- Professional
jazz musician, educator and author
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"John
McGann is one of the most tasteful and versatile pickers on today's
acoustic scene. More than that, he knows what he's playing and can
write it
down so we can all learn a few new tricks."
David "Dawg" Grisman- Mandolin Master
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thanks so
much for the
transcription, and the extra you did on the single run lines. I
immediately sat down and began the comparison as I had previously
attempted to transcribe some of the song myself.
I quickly found where I had erred even though I was on target with some
of the chords. I then transcribed your version of the intro into the
Power Tab Editor software program I have and was almost in tears when I
heard how accurate it all was.
I wish I could have purchased more of your time for each individual
song, but at this time I have to take it a step at a time. Thanks you
for your patience! I was hoping to hit that $325 million lottery we had
the other day to sign you up full time...hahaha! I'll just have to work
with what I can for now and I must say, I am very pleased" EV .
•••••••••••••••••••
"I've used
John's Original Custom Transcription Service for several pieces.
His work is
excellent and the cost was very fair. I highly recommend him if
you need help
figuring out the music to anything you've heard that you want
to play."
- Carl
Volk, Classical/Jazz Guitarist, whose
recordings include Estrada do
Sol, a tribute to
Antonio Carlos Jobim
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"I received
the tabs yesterday - thanks, they're spot on as they say" -
P.D. Paris, France via the Internet
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Thought I'd
write to let you know how pleased I am with the
transcriptions. They are clear, easy to read, and look great on my
music stand!"-A.N. Ridgefield NJ
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"The
most exciting news in at least twenty years. I didn't think
your service would include the music I'm interested in (blues), but you
convinced me! Can't thank you enough..." C.K.Wyoming
MI
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Quite
accurate"--J.M. Denver CO
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"I was very
satisfied--here's some more work"--B.F. Bronx NY
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"A pretty
heavy-duty batch of tunes-they turned out great!"--D.W.Knoxville
TN
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"...everything I wanted and
more! Perfect; I particularly liked your thoughts about the
structure, melody and chord progressions" - M.H. via the Internet
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"I would have
never been able to figure that out without you...you're doing a great
service to people who want to broaden their horizons"--A.L.
Michigan City IN
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Fantastic
job! It felt great to finally play that song correctly!"--E.W.
Vancouver, Canada
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"I'm
delighted that you have
made this music accessible to me, your thoughtful annotations to the
pieces are insightful and give another dimension to the
transcriptions"--C.S. Essen, Germany
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"To say that
I am happy is an understatement, I am ecstatic. I
have your name on file and if I ever come across pieces that have
touched my spirit the way these have, I'll know who to call. You have a
gift, John, and I'm glad I found you"--R.J. Torrington CT
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Your honesty
keeps me coming back! You wrote in your notes that I have a $40
credit because my last request was met before schedule. Thank
you."--T.S. Somerville MA
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"One of the
best examples of an on line music site"-ALC Press, Tokyo Japan via
Internet
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"I
can't believe your ears! Your
transcriptions exceed my expectations. They are accurate, legible and
well worth the cost... captures the essence of the piece and is easier
to play than I thought it would be."- J.M. Staten Island NY
