/r/transcribe

Photograph via snooOG

If you're looking for help figuring out the chords/notes for a piece of music, this is the place to ask.

If you're looking for help figuring out the chords/notes for a piece of music, this is the place to ask.

Read the rules, which have been moved to a Stickied post at the top of the subreddit.

We encourage you to try transcribing yourself, if you can! It's a fantastic way to develop your ear and theory knowledge, and even if you get stuck it'll be easier for others to help if you already have a starting point. Some useful tools:

  • Transcribe! - a brilliant little program that was built specifically for transcribing. It allows you to slow things down, loop over specific sections, pitch shift, and more.
  • Audacity - a simple, free DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), meant more for audio editing, but can also do slowdown, pitch shift, etc.
  • Noteflight - a free online music notation program. Think like Google Docs but for sheet music.
  • Chordify - a cool site that tries to figure out the chords of any Youtube video you feed into it. Rarely does a perfect job, but can sometimes give clues or provide a rough starting point.
  • Youtube to Mp3 - self explanatory, feed the resulting mp3 into Transcribe or Audacity, or even rewinding over and over in iTunes is better than doing it in Youtube.

Related musical subreddits:

Public domain sheet music

/r/transcribe

16,709 Subscribers

1

Can't find chords for the somber song - Left behind - the black noodle project

Yt link to the song

https://youtu.be/0jvyGthH2lI?si=5eQmCUx0ZyCDsa9x

I've only figured the first chord which seems to be an A in standard tuning.

Much appreciated wizards!

4 Comments
2024/04/23
04:37 UTC

2

Genuine question - as arrangers/transcribers how fast should we be working?

I write arrangements (mostly for my own work as a vocalist but occasionally have been paid to do them for others) but honestly I think I work very slowly.

For example, writing a vocal and piano chart currently, the piano is very repetitive so got that down in about 40-50 minutes for the whole song but in total have spent now two hours and I’m probably half way through the vocal line. After polishing it up etc the reality is this will probably total five plus hours on what harmonically is a simple song. Does this get better with more practice and I’m just a very slow worker? Or is this not too far off how long making accurate charts/arrangements actually takes and I need to be more patient? Also here for any tips on how to speed up the process.

2 Comments
2024/04/23
01:52 UTC

1

Piano Transcription Request - Beautiful yet minimalistic piece (5:42)

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for someone to help transcribe this entire minimalist piano piece by Scott Buckley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYCSvbIjm7g

The request is solely for the piano part only.

Since this is a long piece, I'm aware it'll require an investment of your time so I'd love to get ideas on pricing! I've played piano for over a decade, but I struggle when it comes to the transcription process.

Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

EDIT: A kind transcriber has already reached out! This request is no longer open.

1 Comment
2024/04/23
01:30 UTC

1

Real simple piano chord voicings and rhythm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8Yqz-IaUo

I want to sing this song for an audition and figured I could mock up my own sheet music easy enough. Here's what I threw together for the progression, but I know the chord voicings are little more nuanced. I'd also like to rhythm to flow a little more like the recording. Any help would be much appreciated.

https://imgur.com/a/iqPCllf

I'd also be willing to throw a few bucks if anyone could write out the basic vocal line.

1 Comment
2024/04/23
01:05 UTC

1

"Symphonic Hearing: Mastering Harmonic Dictation Using the Do/ Ti Test"

Look for the article called "Symphonic Hearing: Mastering Harmonic Dictation Using the Do/ Ti Test"

It proposes a full method for mastering harmonic dictation, a skill which allows one to identify what chords they're hearing in a given chord progression.

Unfortunately I cannot provide a link because reddit doesn't allow it and my post would get deleted.

It seems great to go along or after learning melodic dictation.

I never see this method mentioned anywhere on youtube or reddit. Everyone talks about hearing the bassline, but apparently that can lead to mistakes, and also it's often hard to hear.

Lots of people just know immediately what chord they're hearing without listening to the bassline, or rather what its function is (I or tonic, V or dominant etc) and I'm interested in learning that.

But these people often don't really know how they got that skill, they say that it just "clicked" at some point. It seems to happen often to music teachers, like guitar teachers who need to play songs over and over and show their students. People who play lots of different songs and emphasize verbally what chords they're playing.

But perhaps the method in this article could make it easier and faster to get there. I'm aware it takes a very long time to become good. I'd just like to be efficient about it, which is reasonable.

Has anyone experimented with it ? Does anyone know about it or teach it ?

I'd like people who are struggling like me to learn harmonic dictation to try it and we could update each other and progress together ! Let me know if you're interested.

It would be great if it helped people learn easier and faster

2 Comments
2024/04/22
21:41 UTC

1

What is the name of the sound effect in the background on 2:13? Something like fast harp scales or arpeggios?

1 Comment
2024/04/22
19:04 UTC

3

First Time Transcribing Drums

5 Comments
2024/04/21
22:31 UTC

1

Paid Gig! Got $20 for whoever can workout a MIDI for the Hades 2 Theme

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FUJ_3rwBs

Looking for a split channel transcribe that covers:

  • Lead (theramin / plucks? Might be better as two channels)

  • Pads (Synth Chords)

  • Bass Guitar

  • Electric Guitar

  • Arpeggiating Synth

I'll handle drums myself for the remix

Will also credit whoever can help out with this.

Should be fairly straightforward, I just know someone here could transcribe this faster than I could, so I'll save some time for other projects and happily pay out $20 if someone can knock this out with hopefully minimal effort

1 Comment
2024/04/21
21:13 UTC

2

Help transcribing background harp

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone can help me pick out the harp melody in the background of The Others by Alejandro Amenábar from 0:26-0:56. Any help most appreciated!

1 Comment
2024/04/21
00:47 UTC

1

Should I be able to hear these double strums?

Or should I just use the video? Is that “cheating”? I can’t really hear them just from the song. What would most people into transcribing do?

12 Comments
2024/04/20
21:21 UTC

1

Need help correcting these three chords

The song is Ataraxia Tunnels by Mare Cognitum (link starts at chords in question). I have the entire song already transcribed (I can provide the whole tab if you'd like), but I'm totally lost on the chords in the verse here. I'm certain what I transcribed for this part is wrong unfortunately. Tuning is C Standard. Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/6cwgwki5bpvc1.png?width=781&format=png&auto=webp&s=6ba86f3f9358f60f008cde9bada7128e47f4efaf

2 Comments
2024/04/20
21:19 UTC

1 Comment
2024/04/20
06:12 UTC

0

Help transcribe a less than 20 second voice message I can't understand 🥴

The title says it all I can share it drive link on dm

4 Comments
2024/04/20
02:21 UTC

1

Can anybody help transcribe (is that the truth) by beach cowboys

I have been trying to find the chords for the rhythm guitar part but I can’t figure it out. Could anybody help me?

2 Comments
2024/04/20
01:14 UTC

1

Requesting transcription for the ending part of a barbershop rendition of Girl From Ipanema!

first time posting here so sorry if i am not following all the rules. Here's the youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eayOyc0orlA

The part im looking for is from 3:47 - 4:22 (I'm not interested in the guitar, just the voices). they do a cascade to start the part so i figured it may be marginally easier to transcribe as you can pick out their voices and they seem to be somewhat distinct from eachother too. I'd really appreciate it if anybody could help out!

2 Comments
2024/04/19
04:43 UTC

0

Keith Jarrett intro transcription on Body & Soul

0 Comments
2024/04/18
23:40 UTC

1

Short guitar lick

Can anyone transcribe this lick into guitar tabs? ty^^

timestamp: 4:07-4:11

https://youtu.be/M95MyX-P2tw?si=lm89Y9YcN1UveUem

2 Comments
2024/04/18
19:16 UTC

1

Could someone please help me transcribe the verse and chorus of this piece?

Hi,

I only have the file in audio format so if you are interested, please DM me so I can send it to you via e-mail or something else.

Together there is 1:30 minutes of music but half of it is repeated with the last chord possibly being diffrent the second time so shouldn't hopefuly be that hard. More info in DMs.

Thank's in advance.

1 Comment
2024/04/18
16:31 UTC

2

waveform* - card

i was wondering if anyone has the tabs on this? not for the background chords but like the individual notes being played at the beginning or for example at 1:47 (i'm awful at music theory and terminology surrounding it but i hope what i'm asking for is still understandable)

i found a post asking the same thing but the only reply was talking about pm's so there wasn't much of an answer..

it seems difficult but is so mesmerizing, learning this song would make not only my day but my entire life worth it.. i hope somebody could help me, i will be forever grateful <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5HAKYSYEc

1 Comment
2024/04/18
15:19 UTC

1

Can’t figure out what the guitarist is playing during the chorus of Love Myself by Rondé

Hi There,

The chord progression of this song is Ebm - Ab - Db - Fm - Gb but looking at where the guitarist is placing his fingers doesn’t make any sense to me as he seems to play a different Ebm inversion during the chorus than during the bridge.

The answer is probably pretty simple but I just can’t figure it out, anyone who could help me out here or at least point me in the right direction of what’s going on?

More vids of them playing this song live:

https://youtu.be/EriuafyQm6Y?si=Kyr1C6nbvdhhEX3p

https://youtu.be/iifCzyQJbNU?si=WT6mM3rypmbuVm-o

Thanks in advance:)

2 Comments
2024/04/18
10:17 UTC

1

chord notation/transcription - Sting "Roxanne" (Live At Villa Il Palagio, Italy/2001)

https://youtu.be/4NQ_l6spilI?si=xK5f_wep8sCf1V1v

Hi ! I'm transcribing this song for my band. I tried to find the chords by ear on my piano while listening at other "similar" lives. However, I can't figure out which chords the piano is playing in the "jazz" part, from 2:30 to 3:15. Can someone help me with it please ?

Moreover, if anyone can double check my work it would be great. I'm not an expert at notation, so it may be a bit inaccurate.

Verse :
Gm - Dm7/F - Eb Maj7 - Dm7
Cm7 - Fsus4 - Gsus4 - %

Pre-Chorus :
Cm7 - Fsus4 - Gsus4 - %

Chorus :
Bb - F Maj7 - Gm7
Bb - F Maj7 - Gsus

0 Comments
2024/04/17
19:39 UTC

1

My transcription of Ne Obliviscaris - And plague flowers the kaleidoscope (Violin & reduced score guitars/bass)

0 Comments
2024/04/17
18:49 UTC

1

Chinese or Japanese caligraphy

Please help transcribe this (image attached) Chainese or Japanese caligraphy into readable Chinese/Japanese characters.

https://preview.redd.it/js1j8w1pm2vc1.jpg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=88a99d33c255b63ac80d7bd75cf044813eca3bae

2 Comments
2024/04/17
16:16 UTC

1

The Impaler The Acacia Strain

Does anyone have drum scores or would be able to transcribe some for The Impaler by The Acacia Strain

0 Comments
2024/04/17
05:46 UTC

1

Can anyone tell me what the guitar tabs for this would be? (Don Julio)- Henry Verus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sT3_N1Xsqg

What would the guitar tabs be in order to play this on an acoustic? Thank you in advance!

2 Comments
2024/04/16
17:46 UTC

1

Tight - Kurt Elling Transcription

0 Comments
2024/04/16
15:06 UTC

1

Can someone kindly convert my .mus (Finale) file to a PDF?

My brother and I were trying to transcribe a song a long time ago on Finale, but now I have a Mac and can't open the file.

I think you should be able to access it here.

0 Comments
2024/04/16
13:55 UTC

2

Can someone please help figure out what chords these are or what the bass notes that might be playing are?

I’m trying to write a bass line to these chords but am having trouble figuring out what chords they are. I noodled around with it on my keyboard and I’m thinking they are c minor chord and maybe Am chord. but can someone tell me forsure what chords im actually hearing ? I attached a video of the sample/chords in question. it’s driving me crazy. It’s a simple two chord progression.

2 Comments
2024/04/15
22:13 UTC

1

Intro to the intro

I’ve been racking my brain trying to find the chords for the intro of this video. Roughly from 0:10-0:40.

The song is written in D but the intro sounds a little more melancholy. I’ve tried apps to transcribe it but they have G# F# E A. Doesn’t sound right at all. I would appreciate if anyone could transcribe the chords and maybe the fillers he uses to transition the chords

2 Comments
2024/04/15
18:06 UTC

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