Applied Music Transcription: Notating Recorded Music for Your School Ensemble

Today’s classrooms have an unprecedented need for authentic repertoire that resonates with students’ lived musical worlds. But what to do if sheet music for culturally responsive repertoire isn’t readily available? Building on the presenter’s recent method book publication, this session offers a practical path, specifically for music educators, to turn recorded music into playable sheet music for their classrooms. Presentation content will be accompanied by live demonstrations or pre-recorded instructional short-form videos.

The first presentation block covers the craft’s essential technology and applications in music education. The second block then introduces a sequential transcription method, starting with planning and outlining, followed by notating pitch and rhythm, and ending with the capture of additional performance detail. Finally, the third block covers several considerations to adapt existing music, so that it becomes playable for specific instrumentations and student arriving with diverse levels of preparation.

Following the presentation blocks, attendees are invited to share any constructive feedback or ask subject-related questions. All music educators are welcome to attend, though the presentation focuses on applications at the high school and collegiate level. 

Andreas Häberlin is Adjunct Instructor at Nova Southeastern University, in Davie Florida, alongside his work as a music transcriptionist. In this capacity, he has worked for industry figures including David Foster, Michael Bearden, and members of Snarky Puppy. Past transcription work includes projects for the Mark Twain Prize, Michael League, Michael Bublé, Barbra Streisand, Asher Monroe, Boop! The Musical, and Music Will Benefit. 

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.  

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.