A copyist creates written copies of a document in general. Copyists have existed in some form since antiquity, and the terms scrivener and calligraphus are also used to describe this profession. Music copyists have been the most common copyist jobs since the twentieth century. These people specialize in making musical manuscript copies.
Copyists performed a variety of transcribing tasks in the early centuries and in many parts of the world since then. The profession is especially important in areas where illiteracy rates are high, and legal documents provide plenty of work for copyists in various parts of the world. Work permits, patents, business start-up papers, wills, ballots, legal drafts, and sales purchases are just a few of the many documents that copyists can create. In the twenty-first century, copyists prefer to use computer programs, but they can also use a traditional pen, paper, and ruler; most traditional copyists use a special type of pen known as a calligraphy pen. The educational requirements vary depending on the type of copying, but strong literacy is essential in general.
The majority of copyist job openings are for music copyists, who regenerate and proofread musical scores and compositions to ensure they are in a neat, presentable state. A composer or arranger gives the copyist instructions. Copyists are frequently tasked with creating individual music sheets for each section of an orchestra or singing group. In such cases, the copyist will create one-of-a-kind copies that are specific to each section and serve as entrance cues for the instrumentalists. Composers can also hire a copyist to help them revise their music or create sheet music from a recording.
Qualified music copyists should ideally have a higher education background in music and experience playing musical instruments, due to some of the above requirements. A potential copyist should be able to read and understand various notation styles, as well as the conventions of various genres and instruments and musical theory. A music copyist’s attention to detail and communication abilities are also essential. Beethoven was known for his tumultuous relationship with his copyists, who were infamous for their sloppy, error-ridden work and personality clashes.
Music copyists have a lot of opportunities for advancement. Employees may use the profession as a stepping stone to higher-level positions like composer or orchestrator. Copyists work for orchestras, television and motion picture studios, recording studios, and a variety of other companies as apprentices, interns, or full-time employees.