What Do I Need?
Los Angeles Music Preparation (LA Music Prep) will help you decide what is needed or what will work both best and most cost effectively for your project. It is a given that sheet music should be legible, clear, accurate, attractive and NOT TOO EXPENSIVE! However, there are some points worth considering:
Is the sheet music for Live or Recording?
- For a recording session, there may be more information on the sheet music, more dynamics, more expression, cues, etc. Time is money in the studio; often over $1000 a day not including musician wages. Most contractors, conductors and leaders DO NOT want to spend much time answering questions.
- For a live stage performance, the requirements for sheet music can be similar to recording sessions, especially with full orchestras. However, in band/small combo situations or artist showcases, rehearsal is usually involved as well as the hired musicians having familiarity with the tracks they will perform. In this case, there can be less information on sheet music allowing the musicians to stay within form without having to bury their faces in the chart.
Is the sheet music for publishing or sidemen (hired musicians)?
- To publish music, original or arrangements, generally a lead sheet with lyrics and chord symbols is applicable. Often included is a piano accompaniment. We’ve all seen this type of sheet music in stores, published on line (Sheet Music Plus).
- For sidemen, especially on live performances, the band musicians do not need all the lyrics. In this case a basic rhythm chart will do and usually has far fewer pages. For example, you won’t make many friends in the drum/bass department if they have to keep turning pages!
Who will read the music?
This is and important question to consider. Lyle “Spud” Murphy, the composer and arranger had the actual player’s names in the scores instead of the instrument. A look at the many scores from his Benny Goodman arrangements showed the importance of knowing the “cats” in the band and what they can do. While this an extremely example from, frankly, a genius, it’s a great point.
Who is the chart for?
- Students? What age and level? – Different levels of musicians are familiar with differing notation levels as well. For example, it wouldn’t be great to write violins out of their 1st position in their first year of study. Phrasing is also simplified for beginner students. These are adjustments that LA Music Prep makes to enhance the performance.
- Professional Musicians? – While professional musician are easier to write for given fewer limitations in their abilities, it’s worth considering the type of job (gig) they are doing. For example, musicians that perform in orchestra pits for broadway musicals can generally read in any key, no matter how difficult because it’s common to have tons of key changes in musical theater. Many rock musicians might see sharp “guitar” keys as more familiar as opposed to jazz “cats” being more used to flat keys. Again, it comes down to knowing your musicians or, like LA Music Prep, being extremely familiar with musician preference. That’s what we do, we know who we’re writing for!
- Studio Musicians? From LA or NY? – Different Groups of musicians have different requirements and player styles. You wouldn’t write the same thing for Anthony Jackson in NY that you might for Jimmy Haslip in LA. Also, recording projects in LA are often different than NY; LA has more film and TV recording dates and NY has more Jazz recordings and cast recordings. Additionally, songwriter sessions in Nashville have different requirements altogether.
- From another country or musical culture? – Not every country notates music the same. LA Music Prep does sheet music for many Brazilian projects as well as in LA and there are differences to consider. For example, the chord symbol “FMA7” in LA might be labeled “F7M” in Brazil. Also to note, the “number” system in Nashville for chord symbols.
- What Instrument? Musical Style? – LA Music Prep is aware that notation for different instruments and musical styles all have different requirements. Notation for percussion/drummers is different from piano notation. That includes note heads, spacing, number of pages. Style is also a consideration. Many jazz musicians are familiar with a more “handwritten” font whereas classical musicians are more familiar with “standard typed looking” fonts.
These are just a few things to consider, but not worry about! LA Music Prep will address these issues with you so you’re spending your money wisely and getting the best sheet music to suit your project.
Contact us at LA Music Prep and let’s discuss your project!