How to transcribe…

…well how I do it anyway.
First of all you need to buy Sibelius G7* and “Transcribe!”

(*I’ve good things about ‘Finale’ too but I’ve never used it, either would be fine)

Decide on the tune you want to ‘scribe and load it into “Transcribe!” then using the ‘B’ button tap along on every beat but use ‘M’ on the first beat of each bar and you should have something that looks like this:-

This gives you a guide to every bar and beat which gives you the guidance needed to get it down right.
I press ‘S’ at the first beat of the new chorus so you should have clearly defined beats, measures and choruses/sections by now.

Then it’s a case of setting up your virtual manuscript. I like to sketch out the chords before laying the notes down as it’s easier to cut + paste the chords for following choruses this way. I always struggle to do this bit cos it’s a bit boring but once it’s done I can start flying with the interesting bit!

Now you are ready to try and work out the notes.
Taking a bar or so (depending on the complexity of the piece) I go about working out the rhythm the best I can by highlighting a section and if I need to (I usually do) go down to 50% speed. I work with both windows open (I’m on a Mac, I can’t remember how easy this is to do on a PC but I’m sure you can easily alt+tab between both windows easily?)
I usually work on about 10 bars or so at a time and for now solely work out the RHYTHMS of the line I’m working out. I find this method works for me and makes it much quicker in the long run as multi tasking working out the pitch and the rhythm at the same time can be confusing for me.

I tend to work a chorus at a time, work out the rhythm first then fill in the note pitches as it gives a sense of achievement and spurs you to finish the thing when you see it a complete chorus neatly written out.

I would appreciate if this does help then by please put a link on your work to help others find this guide.
Thanks!