Transcription, Editing, Music Engraving
Songbook and Sheet Music preparation

Dan Libertino Music operates LibbyTunes, a multifaceted music production & publishing company. One facet of the company is a computer based transcription and music engraving service. Dan has worked for major publishers including MelBay, WarnerBrothers, which was bought out by Alfred Music as well as smaller publishers like CreativeConcepts which was bought out by Hal Leonard several years ago. Along with these publishers, Dan has worked for periodicals and private artists contracted to produce everything form a full book to a single 'lick of the month' music excerpt. Though the majority of the music created centers around the guitar, Dan has created song books for Harpists, written scores for flute players and vocalists as well as written his own music text book. Please click here: history of and anecdotes about the many projects I have been involved in.

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The description of the services offered includes, but is not limited to the following items highlighted below. In the early days of publishing, each one of these headers was a completely independent job performed by a different person. However now, with the software and personal computing power available, these jobs can be completed by one single person. I was one of the first persons in the marketplace to actually receive the CD, transcribe the music directly to music notation software, edit the charts, engrave and layout the music for the whole book, submitting the digital files to the publisher. The publisher then made a cover for the book, added some text, a table of contents and then published the book. The music files were untouched by the publisher other than adding them to Illustrator or Quark.

Transcription. Simply put, the art of transcribing involves the ability of the transcriber to hear the notes, discern what they are, how long they are played for, how many times they are played and otherwise interpret all aspects of the performance. The next step is to write out the music that one hears either by hand to music paper or use music notation software to create the score.

The audio file used for to generate the transcription can be a digital file of any sort or even an analog tape or record. If the song is given to me in non-digital format, I will make a digital file of the music as it is easier for me to stop and start the song, slow the music down or otherwise manipulate the song in order to discern the notes.

I like to consult with the artist after listening to the music to discuss the format that the sheet music will take. Music scores can be can be written out in standard notation only, standard notation with TAB or just TAB. There are many ways to represent the recorded music. From a simple chord chart for rhythm playing to the note for note density of a complete transcription for the demands of the serious musician. Please follow the link for some samples of scores along with a description of the style of the chart.

Editing. This involves the comparing of the written score to the recording by either listening to the recording while reading the chart, using midi play back of the chart or playing the score itself. Editing usually uses all of the above procedures at some point.


Engraving and Layout. This is the final step in which time is taken to make sure the music is easily read. That is, the notes themselves need to spaced properly, the pages turns need to be logical and simple text proof reading or lyric editing is done at this stage. There are more details as to what is involved with engraving but it may be best to show some examples of poor engraving versus better engraving using the same sheet music. Please take a moment to look at these examples demonstrating poor versus better quality engraving.

Dan can create all manner of sheet music for your needs. I cam take hand written score and create charts or listen to a recording and create the first score of that song.



Please contact me to discuss your Music engraving and transcribing needs. I look forward to working for you…

Here is a brief list of projects I worked on:

	Title: Beginning Music Theory for the Guitar Musician: Dan Libertino Publisher: Libertino Music Year: 1995 Style: Theory workbook for the guitarist
	Title: Gospel Cookin' Musician: John Standefer Publisher: JohnAugustMusic/Melbay Year: 1996 Style: Fingerstyle jazz guitar
	Title: Acoustic Solos Musician: Phil Keaggy Publisher: JohnAugustMusic/Melbay Year: 1996 Style: Fingerstyle
	Title: Jammed If I Do Musician: Dan Crary Publisher: Melbay Year: 1996 Style: Country Flatpicking
	Title: Acoustic Sketches Musician: Phil Keaggy Publisher: JohnAugustMusic/Melbay Year: 1997 Style: Fingerstyle
	Title: Barcelona Nights Musician: Ottmar Liebert Publisher: Creative Concepts Year: 1997 Style: Nuevou Flamenco
	Title: Borrasca Musician: Ottmar Liebert Publisher: Creative Concepts Year: 1998 Style: Nuevou Flamenco
	Title: The Ventures/Pipeline/Surfin' Hits Musician: Ventures Publisher: Creative Concepts Year: 1998 Style: Surf Guitar
	Title: Surf Guitar Musician: Ventures Publisher: Creative Concepts Year: 1998 Style: Surf Guitar
	Title: Dan Crary~Guitar Musician: Dan Crary Publisher: Melbay Year: 1998 Style: Country Flatpicking
	Title: Country Soul Guitar Musician: Duke Levine Publisher: Melbay Year: 1998 Style: Country-soul electric guitar
	Title: Road to Coeburn Musician: James Alan Shelton Publisher: Melbay Year: 1999 Style: Country Flatpicking