Questions about transcription and arrangement

What is the difference between a transcription and an arrangement?

A transcription is an exact musical notation of a piece. People order transcriptions if they want to be able to play a piece, note-for-note, the way it's played by a favorite artist. It is also common for clients to request that I transcribe their original tunes. If you have written a song, you may want it notated for studio or copyright purposes, or just to frame and put on your wall because it looks so cool! You send me an mp3, cd, tape, or video of a piece that you want transcribed, and I write what I hear. Your transcription will look like any published music you are accustomed to seeing in books and sheet music, and by downloading some free software, you will be able not only to see it and print it, but to hear it, as well. I can, of course, send you hard copy, if you prefer.

An arrangement is a creative piece. I will take the song of your choice and arrange it in whatever style you like. In other words, you might send me a song that is played on the piano (or other  instrument) and ask that I arrange it for solo guitar. Sometimes I take a song that is sung and played on guitar and arrange it to be played on one guitar, incorporating the vocals into the arrangement. Or, you might like a classical piece to be arranged in a rock style. I can arrange for other instruments, as well, if you want a piece for a band to play. You will receive the finished product in the same format as the transcription described above.

How much does a transcription or arrangement cost?

Like most things, the cost depends on the time involved. I can give you a quote after hearing the song.  If it is a long and complicated piece, I will not know exactly how long it will take until I've gotten deeply into it, so I won't be able to give you an exact price. I will, however, give you a minimum and maximum, so you will know what the top price would be. 

How long does it take?

It depends on how backed up I am on this type of work, how many workshops I'm conducting at the time of your request, and so on. If you are in a hurry, let me know and I'll see what I can do , but I  might have to charge extra for the rush. 

 

Questions about Guitar Workshops and Retreats

If I go to your place in Texas for a workshop or retreat, what is the closest airport that I can fly into?

You can fly in to either Austin or San Antonio. 

What type of accommodations are available for a weekend retreat or guitar intensive?

If it is a large retreat (10 - 12), I will rent a retreat center and you will stay there. I tend to like the workshops and retreats to stay relatively small (6 - 10 participants), so I hold most of them at my place, where you can either camp on the land or on the downstairs floor of my house (both are free). The land is beautiful (I'm not biased!), and I have a gazebo, a labyrinth, and some amazing horses to add to the appeal. If rustic doesn't appeal to you, there are a multitude of bed and breakfasts in the area and you should have no trouble finding comfortable and reasonable accommodations. It's a charming area and there are plenty of B&B's located on the river or with a view, and I am happy to assist you in your search.

 

Questions about Comprehensive Guitar Instruction:

The course is billed as ''comprehensive", with a table of contents that is very broad. How can you fit so much into 80 minutes?

Every word counts. In order to gain maximum results from the 
video, the viewer must move slowly through the information, work through the exercises, do the practice and expand upon it in a personal way. 

The course is clearly divided into chapters (especially useful in the DVD version), so you can go easily to the area of your choice on any given day. The beauty of having it on video is that you can review it indefinitely. You may feel that you have exhausted the material, only to go back a year later and discover something new and useful. 

My experience tells me that people need repeat exposure to new information and concepts. It is also true that we hear only what we're ready for. Our brains (and emotions!) can only hold so much at once, consequently we unconsciously filter a large portion of what comes our way. Many teachers feel that if their students don't retain a lesson, they are poor listeners. Other instructors feel that they, as teachers, are somehow inadequate in their communication. Although those factors may at times be at play, the truth is that everyone has a different tempo, different background and different filters. If I'm instructing you on a personal basis, I will tune into these unique qualities and work with them. 
When using the video, you can do the same for yourself, 
going at your own tempo and reviewing frequently. Remember that if anything seems frustrating or difficult, take it in a smaller piece and take it more slowly. Learning to play guitar is a process, and there is no finish line. When you work with the video this way, you can receive an enormous amount of instruction and make astounding progress for a very small investment. And, considering the wealth of information in the video, if you only use or retain a small percentage of the material, you've still gotten an incredible deal on lessons!

I already have a teacher. Will this video conflict with what I'm learning in my lessons?

There is nothing outlandish or controversial about my 
approach: it is good, solid music training. If you're happy with 
your teacher, it probably means that he or she is committed to your musical growth and will welcome anything that furthers your progress. Your instructor can help you with the course or you can work with it on your own to augment what you are doing in your lessons.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE  GUITAR INSTRUCTION  by Charlotte Adams Accompaniment and Rhythm Playing, Lead Playing, Learning Tactics, Ear Training and more.  DVD $29.95 Includes two enclosures  77 minutes

 

             To inquire about lessons or workshops with Charlotte, contact us.