How to Transcribe Music Like a Pro: Lead Instrument and Melody
Many new transcribers go for the melody first, but when you start with drums, key, and rhythm section, your lead melody transcription is a whole lot easier.
Sabrina Peña Young
An intermedia composer, percussionist, author, and obsessive sci-fi buff, Sabrina Peña Young creates mind-bending electroacoustic works that have been heard throughout Australia, Asia, North America, and Europe in media festivals, radio, film, dance clubs, random boom boxes in France - and as not-so-pleasant background music.
Critics have described her music as “daunting,” and “marvelously abstract,” and she has received a wide range of awards for her compositions, including New Genre Award from the International Alliance for Women in Music for her work "Creation" and the Cintas Foundation's Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition, as well as awards and nominations for her film-making work.
Sabrina has a passion for writing too, and recently published "The Feminine Musique: Multimedia and Women Today", available at Amazon.com. She has also written for the Kapralova Society Journal, Percussive Notes, Panpipes, the IAWM Music Journal, the SEAMUS Music Journal, and various fine arts websites.
Learn more about Sabrina:
Posts by Sabrina Peña Young
How to Transcribe Music Like a Pro: The Rhythm Section
Transcription takes time. Follow these tips for transcribing bass and chords to speed up the process and amaze yourself with your transcribing abilities.
How to Transcribe Music like a Pro: Finding the Key
Knowing the key can save you a lot of head-scratching when transcribing music. Here are some tricks to quickly find the key of a song by ear.
How to Transcribe like a Music Pro: Drums
Most beginning transcribers go for melody first, but starting with drums offers many advantages. Learn why and how to transcribe the drum parts like a pro.
How to Transcribe Music like a Pro: Before You Start
Transcription, the art of writing down the music we hear, combines every aspect of ear training. Learn how to start and the best tech tools to help you out.
Start Improvising Today: 10 Mini-Challenges To Try
Improvisation isn’t magic: it’s a skill you can learn. Surprise! Challenges can actually set you free. These 10 challenges will start you on your journey.
Discovering Minor Chord Progressions: Part Two
Minor keys present us with rich harmonic possibilities. Check out these ear training exercises to jump-start your discovery of minor chord progressions.
Getting on Track: Process Goals vs. Outcome Goals for Musicians
Each journey starts with one small step. Yet the destination may seem out of reach. Learn how setting process goals can make your wildest dreams come true!
Discovering Minor Chord Progressions: Minor Scale Basics
To write your own scary movie soundtrack or add variation to your compositions using minor key you’ll need to know about minor scales and chords. Master the basics here.
Musicality means… Knowing Your Instrument Inside Out!
Learn the steps to take to transform your instrument from a chunk of wood and metal into a living, breathing, musical extension of your heart, mind & body!
Musicality means… Writing Music
Writing music seems like something only talented musicians can do, but anyone who plays music can learn to compose or write songs. Get started today!
Musicality Means… Writing Notation!
Being able to write music notation can seem complicated, but is an essential skill for your musical creations. Start learning this skill today.
