Formats…

Custom music transcriptions can be ordered in either of the following formats:

• Standard Music Notation with Tablature (click for PDF sample): This format is notated in Finale and sent as a PDF file. Finale is the industry standard in professional sheet music engraving and publishing. The original Finale file can be provided upon request. Similar to the layout in most published guitar transcriptions, you will have a standard notation staff on the top with the corresponding tablature staff underneath. The standard notation and tablature staves are properly notated. Your transcription will include the all important details of guitar techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, string bending, slides, tremolo picking, harmonics, whammy bar techniques, etc. This format also includes a virtual instrument MP3 recording of the exact transcription with a click track. This MP3 serves as the ultimate practice tool for learning and mastering your custom tabs. I can even adjust the tempo to suit your needs and skill level. For a small additional fee, multiple MP3s at a variety of tempos can be provided. This allows you to maximize your progress by gradually increasing your playing speed on your custom transcription. Hundreds of satisfied customers agree that the virtual instrument MP3 is the perfect way to learn your favorite music and have fun jamming along.

• Tablature Only (click for PDF sample): This format is ideal for the client who doesn’t read music or rhythmic notation or has a more limited budget. It does NOT include standard notation, rhythmic values of notes, barlines, or a virtual instrument MP3. It is super accurate tab that is properly notated with the correct symbols for guitar techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, string bends, slides, tremolo picking, harmonics, whammy bar techniques, etc. Additionally, time stamps are included on the transcription in order to help you match up the tablature to various locations of the recording or YouTube link being transcribed. Every effort is made to be sure that your music transcription is not only precise but also extremely easy to follow, understand, and reference back to the source material.

Transcription Levels…

You choose the level of detail that suits your needs and budget:

• Basic ($25 USD minimum per song): Each new chord change is transcribed without any strumming details. For example, if the guitar player is strumming on the same exact chord for 2 measures then the chord is only notated at the beginning of the first measure. This works well for many of my clients since they are able to easily hear and fill in with all of the strumming by listening to the part. Slight variations in riffs, licks, fills, arpeggio patterns, and fingerpicking patterns are ignored and notated to be identical. Solos are transcribed in detail note for note.

• Standard ($35 USD minimum per song): Strumming details are transcribed the first time a series of chords is played. Slight variations in strumming are notated as identical for parts that are close enough. Slight variations in riffs, licks, fills, arpeggio patterns, and fingerpicking patterns are ignored and notated to be identical. Solos are transcribed in detail note for note.

• Pro ($45 USD minimum per song): All requested parts including strumming, riffs, licks, fills, arpeggio patterns, fingerpicking patterns, and solos are transcribed in detail note for note.

Additional Services…

• Skype Guitar Lessons ($30 USD minimum): One on one live instruction with Skype is a perfect way improve in many areas such as guitar fundamentals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, scales, technique, music theory, chords, soloing and improvisation, flatpicking, fingerpicking, legato, ear training, music transcription, chord melody, sight reading, developing effective practice strategies, etc. Your lessons are 100% customized to help you achieve your musical goals in the shortest amount of time possible.

Many of my students have gone on to gain entrance into top music schools and some have even received music scholarships based on a combination of their hard work and my effective teaching strategies. Additionally, quite a few of my students have gone on to become professional musicians.

I consider teaching to be one of life’s highest callings and am extremely grateful to have made my living all of these years by teaching and transcribing. I am a firm believer that instructing others works best through a positive attitude and have witnessed firsthand that anybody can be a great guitar player with patience, practice, and proper guidance.

For more information about the Live One-On-One Skype Guitar Lesson program be sure to visit Dave's Online Guitar School at davesonlineguitarschool.com.

• Custom Video Guitar Lessons ($30 USD minimum): I can provide you with a video lesson to go along with your custom guitar tabs. In this lesson I would do a close up of my hands as I walk you step by step through each part of your transcription. The instructional video can cover areas such as practice tips, music theory, picking technique, fingerpicking technique, fretting hand technique, how to read tabs, how to read notation, how to count rhythms, etc. Lessons are 100% customized to help you achieve your musical goals in the shortest amount of time possible. Whether it is for a new transcription or a transcription that I have already done for you, please fill out the General Questions form on the CONTACT ME page if you would like a price quote for a custom video guitar lesson.

Transcription Prices…

Keep in mind that I am NOT selling from a catalog of transcriptions. Each job is custom crafted for the individual client and is priced accordingly. I will absolutely NEVER under any circumstances resell or distribute your custom guitar tabs. Copyright law prohibits me from doing so and any transcription I do for you is yours and yours alone.

Because of the time involved in setting up a new file, transcribing, exporting to PDF & virtual instrument MP3, attaching and sending the completed transcription, etc. There are minimum charges (see above) for each transcription level.

Prices are job specific and depend on the amount of time it will take to transcribe the material. A simple guitar riff will cost less than an entire song. A three minute blazing fast guitar solo will cost more than an easy three minute rhythm guitar part. Standard Music Notation with Tablature usually costs more than Tablature Only.

Here are the most important details that affect your transcription pricing:

1. Preferred format: Standard Music Notation with Tablature or Tablature Only

2. Transcription Level: Basic, Standard, or Pro (see above)

3. Total duration to be transcribed (Always consider how many simultaneous parts you need transcribed. For example, if you request a 3 minute song with 2 guitar parts throughout then the total duration is 6 minutes since 3x2=6. If there was only one guitar part then the total duration would only be 3 minutes.)

4. Overall speed and complexity of the material to be transcribed

5. Recording quality and ease of hearing the parts to be transcribed

For Price Quotes & Turnaround Times…

To request a price quote with turnaround time please go to the CONTACT ME page and fill out the Price Quote form. If you accept the quoted price, I can take your payment securely through PayPal or by credit card. Your transcription is always 100% guaranteed to be completed and delivered within the quoted turnaround time.

About Me…

My name is Dave Taylor. I am the owner of Custom Guitar Tabs and personally do all of the custom transcriptions. I have done tablature and standard notation for over 2000 songs in many different musical styles and have had hundreds of satisfied clients. I am a 1990 honors graduate of The Atlanta Institute of Music and have been a professional guitar player, teacher, and transcriber for over 25 years. I am passionate about listening to and learning new music and take tremendous pride in my craft. You can rest assured that I am 100% committed to providing you, the customer, with a quality of service and workmanship that will exceed your expectations.