Music Transcription

Music transcription (A.K.A. “takedowns”) from audio or video sources

Having perfect pitch, an extensive knowledge of orchestration and music theory, and a background as a drummer, percussionist and keyboardist, Steve can transform nearly any piece of music from an audio or video source into playable sheet music.

Steve has transcribed and arranged thousands of pieces of music in a wide variety of genres and has many years’ experience working in Los Angeles as an orchestrator and arranger for live shows and recording sessions.

He is often called upon to recreate sheet music from recordings for which the printed sheet music is unavailable, or to transcribe improvised performances and songwriter demos. In addition to creating printed sheet music, Steve is an expert at transcribing audio recordings to MIDI for music production.

Steve has worked extensively as an orchestrator and music preparer for numerous feature films and Broadway shows. In addition, Steve has worked with Masterclass to create all the guitar transcriptions for the Tom Morello and Carlos Santana instructional videos—in all, over 500 pages of transcription!

  • Lead sheets (melody & chords) – SAMPLES HERE

  • Piano / Vocal – SAMPLES HERE

  • Master rhythm (rhythm parts together or as separate parts)

  • Solo piano – SAMPLES HERE

  • Guitar / bass / banjo (including tablature)

  • Solo instrument / voice

  • String quartet, chamber music

  • Jazz solo transcriptions – SAMPLES HERE

  • Drum transcriptions – SAMPLES HERE

  • Choir / SATB

  • Big band

  • Musical theater

  • Full orchestra

  • MIDI transcription (convert/orchestrate MIDI into playable parts for musicians OR create MIDI from an audio source)

  • Professional, publishing-quality engraving / typesetting from handwritten music

TRANSCRIPTION SAMPLES

TRANSCRIPTION SAMPLES

  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - PIANO - VOCAL
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Orchestral Part Piccolo
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Guitar Tablature - Lyrics
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Condensed Score
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Bagpipes Transcription
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Trumpet (Bb)
  • Sample Scores Steve Aho Music - Tenor Saxophone (Bb)
  • Steve Aho Music Drum Transcription
  • Steve Aho Music Bass Transcription
  • Steve Aho Music Guitar Transcription
  • Steve Aho Music Orchestral Transcription
  • Steve Aho Music Jazz Piano Transcription

Projects in Action

Equally comfortable working with all (major) instruments, Steve was happy to transcribe the entirety of Tom Morello’s MasterClass.

In this exciting project with internationally renowned entertainer Steve Martin, Steve transcribed all of the parts that were used in the Broadway Musical, including Martin's banjo playing and Edie Brickell's vocals.

Dave M.

“I can't believe you were able to transcribe that crazy piano part! You saved the day.”

John H.

“Steve’s transcription work on a very complicated piano score extracted from a live performance of a big band is truly impressive. Accurate down to a sixteenth grace note slur, it would be impossible to find someone better for this type of transcription. Excellence breeds excellence and with Steve you get just that.”