Getting the Score

The copyist creates the final, written music to use during the recording session.

Traditionally, the composer or orchestrator would present the copyist with a music score written in pencil. From this written score the copyist would create a clean, computer-engraved copy using software such as Finale or Sibelius.

The copyist is responsible for creating a computer generated copy of the score as well as the individual parts for each instrument, making sure everything is bound and well organized to avoid wasted time during the expensive recording session.

With the advent of computer sequencing software and composers that do not write music, copyists now also must be able to create score directly from MIDI sequences without having a written score for reference.

The copyist’s job is also called music engraving and music preparation.