Services

The composition process is what defines our brand from the start. With a huge emphasis on originality, we'll work alongside you in creating material that best fits your needs. This process is suited for a variety of projects ranging from as small as a melody for a jingle to as large as a score for a full symphonic orchestra! Typically, this step covers the skeleton of the music we are trying to convey, usually notated for a "piano reduction", meaning, the overall musical idea reduced to one piano. If the project calls for it, "Compositions" is then followed by the "Orchestrations/Arrangements" step. 

Something to note: If your project demands an original composition for just one instrument, it would be considered an exception and would be written for that instrument rather than a piano reduction, thus skipping the "Orchestrations/Arrangements" step. One frequently asked question we get is how we do with lyrics. Although we are not staunch lyricists, we are open to working with creators who want and have lyrics to provide, as well as offering our creative advice to enhance lyrics musically.

After submitting a form on our "Getting Started" page, we will provide an estimate based on your needs. Upon completion, we will provide a PDF of the sheet music and audio files, as well as other notation files (depending on how it's originally notated), if requested.

Orchestrations/Arrangements

Typically, the orchestrating/arranging part of the process happens after the composition stage. Once music is created, depending on what you're orchestrating/arranging to, the skeleton of the piece is assigned to musical instruments which gives it its character and unique texture. This process introduces new harmonic and polyphonic ideas, while keeping the integrity of the original musical themes.

There are a number of circumstances we can help with that require orchestrating/arranging. Some examples include expanding on original compositions we've created for your project, orchestrating/arranging original compositions you've provided to us, or arranging cover music for a different style/event (i.e. a pop song you'd like us to write for a solo harp at a wedding).

We know writing for other instruments sounds intimidating or overwhelming, but we have your back. After submitting a form on our "Getting Started" page, we will provide an estimate based on the amount of music we're working with, the number of instruments we're writing for, and whether or not the music will be produced into audio files. If you are providing a project for us to work with, we recommend it be sent in a notation software format (Sibelius, Musescore, Dorico, MusicXML). After the invoice is approved, we will work to justify your vision as best as possible. This includes what we would deem a reasonable amount of revisions needed to best achieve that goal. Upon completion, we will send back a master score (this does not include "Sheet Music Copying/Preparations" unless requested). Depending on the project and our resources, we also offer some potential options for our produced audio files. This includes high quality MIDI samples, studio recorded instruments, a hybrid of the two, raw recordings, exported stems, etc. All of which will be discussed with your estimate.

Sheet Music Copying/Preparations

So, you're at the final step of your music project before the live performance. There's just one thing: your players need properly prepared sheet music in order to read and understand your vision as best a possible. Preparing sheet music is the most important step to properly execute and distribute your master score down to a format that is easy and efficient to read for any one who needs it (Even a stage manager). 

Whether you have your own project or are working with us to create a project for you, we can provide the heavy lifting necessary to elevate the work. Every work is different but if you are providing a project for us to work with, we recommend it be sent in a notation software format (Sibelius, Musescore, Dorico, MusicXML). Currently, we are not in a position to print and distribute mass copies of sheet music by mail. Upon completion, we will send back all the parts in PDF format for you to optionally print on your own accord.

Qlab Audio Design

Qlab is a proprietary MacOS software program that allows users to design and control sound, video, lighting, and show cues for live events. Major Scale is involved with designing only the audio portion of the Qlab workspace. When creating music for a live event or production, the majority of how we replicate the "feel" of a live orchestra being interwoven with the performance is achieved through complicated Qlab programming. 

Imagine a play or ballet for instance involving original music and having more control on when the music shifts or pulls itself out of a vamp, rather than relying on a strict track. We understand using an unfamiliar program can be overwhelming. So in order to make sure you're absolutely comfortable by the time your performance begins, we offer hands-on training and customer support on your customized Qlab workspace. 

Hourly Consultations