What is a Music Copyist?

A music copyist is a person who works with composers to reproduce and print musical notes from songs and instrumental arrangements onto paper. The process of transcription is also referred to as score preparation. Music copyists are typically given a musical score, which is an arrangement containing the notes for multiple instruments, which they separate and copy onto individual sheets for each instrument player.

Traditional musical scores were created a composer who hand-wrote a copy of the musical notes on horizontal lines on paper. A music copyist would look over the original musical score, then hand-draw the notes and make as many copies as needed. This was a meticulous process that required copyists to be artistic as well as musically knowledgeable. To recreate musical scores and reduce preparation time, copyists began to use typewriters formatted with musical notes, rather than letters and numbers, in the nineteenth century.

Computer programs for music copyists began to be developed in the late twentieth century. The time it took a music copyist to transcribe scores was significantly reduced thanks to these programs, also known as score writers. Although the precise functions of score writers vary depending on the program, they generally work in the same way that word processing software does, but with musical notes instead of other characters.

A music copyist typically works for individual aspiring musicians who want their original scores reproduced for band members or for safekeeping; however, this work is frequently done on a freelance or contract basis rather than full time. He or she could work full-time for record labels, copying arrangements for well-known musicians. Copyists may also find steady work with production studios that provide musical scores for film and television.

Music copyists work in a more individualistic environment than those who work on team projects. Even with the use of score writer programs, the copying process can be tedious and requires a keen eye for detail because any incorrect notes or placements can cause the musical score to be altered negatively. Introverts who don’t mind working alone and can work under strict time constraints with little supervision are the most successful music copyists. Although the use of computer programs reduces the need for artistic ability, copyists will often need a background in musical theory or composition to fully comprehend the arrangements and make them as accurate as possible.