Music Typesetting & Book Design
Preparing a music book takes musical understanding, careful checking and a consistent approach to design. I bring my experience as a professional musician, teacher, composer and published author to each project, with particular expertise in Highland pipe music.
Example of cover design
The Three Hats Collection
P/M James Craib
Example of typesetting
Example of page design
The Three Hats Collection
P/M James Craib
The Fyrish Collection
P/M Niall Matheson
Services
I work primarily on complete books and substantial collections. Depending on your needs, I can help with the following.
Planning your book
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Discussing the purpose of your book and its intended readers.
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Reviewing your source material and identifying what needs preparation.
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Organising tunes, text and photographs into a clear structure.
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Advising on page size, orientation and binding.
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Developing a suitable style for the music, typography and page layout.
Music typesetting
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Typesetting tunes from handwritten manuscripts or existing notation.
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Presenting embellishments, harmonies and variations clearly.
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Establishing consistent notation throughout the collection.
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Adjusting spacing and line breaks to make the music comfortable to read.
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Checking notes, rhythms, time signatures, repeats and musical markings.
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Identifying ambiguities and discussing them with you.
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Presenting tune titles, composer credits and performance notes consistently.
Page layout and book design
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Creating a coherent design throughout the book.
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Choosing fonts and establishing clear styles for headings and text.
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Balancing music, text, photographs and white space.
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Laying out introductions, biographies, acknowledgements and tune stories.
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Preparing contents pages, page numbering and running headings.
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Positioning and preparing supplied photographs for print.
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Designing the cover and spine to suit the book and its binding.
Proofs and revisions
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Preparing an initial sample layout for your approval.
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Supplying proofs at agreed stages.
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Checking spelling, punctuation and consistency in supporting text.
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Reviewing notation and layout throughout the book.
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Incorporating agreed corrections and revisions.
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Working with you towards approval of the finished publication.
Preparation for printing
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Preparing the cover and interior to the chosen printer’s specifications.
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Checking page dimensions, margins, bleed and image resolution.
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Checking fonts and exported PDFs for common production issues.
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Advising on paper and binding options.
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Helping you assess a physical proof copy.
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Supplying the final files ready for printing.
A project shaped around your material
You may have a collection of handwritten tunes, an existing book that needs a new edition, or music files that need to be brought together with photographs and stories. I can assess what is required and agree a practical approach with you.
Each quotation sets out the services included, the finished files to be supplied, the proof stages and the payment schedule. Printing and delivery are charged separately.
Publishing through Melville Music Books
For selected projects, I can also offer publication through Melville Music Books.
Depending on our agreement, this can include:
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Publishing your collection under the Melville Music Books imprint.
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Coordinating the design, production and approval of the finished book.
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Setting up the title with the printer and managing production files.
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Arranging physical proofs and coordinating any necessary corrections.
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Advising on retail pricing and suitable sales channels.
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Arranging print-on-demand availability and small print runs.
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Creating a dedicated book page with descriptions and sample material.
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Preparing agreed promotional material for the book.
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Approaching suitable specialist retailers and handling agreed trade orders.
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Arranging copies for your own sales, events or existing stockists.
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Maintaining the files and coordinating approved updates or reprints.
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Providing sales statements and payments for the channels I manage.
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Managing legal deposit with the British Library and supplying copies requested by the other legal deposit libraries.
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The publishing agreement also specifies how the cost of legal-deposit copies and postage is covered.
The publishing arrangement is agreed separately from design and typesetting, with clear terms covering rights, costs, responsibilities and how sales income is shared. You approve the finished book before publication.
Sample projects – scopes and costs
The examples below illustrate different project sizes and levels of complexity. They are not fixed packages. Each project is quoted individually, based on the material supplied and the work required.
All examples include music typesetting, a consistent page design, cover design, contents and page numbering, agreed proof stages, and preparation of final files for printing.
A straightforward tune collection
Illustrative design and typesetting fee: £1,000–£1,400
A compact collection of approximately 40–60 straightforward light-music tunes, supplied in clear, complete notation, with some supporting text.
Any transcription needed from recordings is assessed separately when preparing the quotation.
A complete composer’s collection
Illustrative design and typesetting fee: £1,800–£2,400
A collection of approximately 50–80 tunes, with an introduction, tune stories and a small selection of photographs.
Alongside the common inclusions above, this example allows for:
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More individual page layouts combining music and supporting material.
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Layout of introductions, tune stories and other text.
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Preparation and placement of supplied photographs.
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Review of a physical proof.
The final quotation depends on the complexity of the music and how much preparation the supplied material requires.
An extensive or more complex collection
Illustrative design and typesetting fee: £2,500–£3,400
A substantial book of approximately 80–120 light-music tunes, or a collection involving more complex notation, harmony parts or piobaireachd, together with supporting text and photographs.
Alongside the common inclusions above, this example allows for:
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More detailed assessment and planning of the supplied material.
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Typesetting of agreed variations and additional musical parts.
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Development of layouts suited to different types of music.
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Layout of more extensive supporting text and photographs.
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Preparation of supplied photographs for print.
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Review of a physical proof.
Particularly complex piobaireachd, extensive editorial work or substantial transcription from recordings may fall outside this range and will be assessed individually.
About these examples
Tune count alone does not determine the fee. These examples assume that the music and text are substantially complete before work begins. The quotation will specify the proof stages and revisions included.
Corrections to my own work are included without additional charge. New material or changes to an approved design are discussed and priced separately.
Printing, delivery and physical proof-copy charges are additional. Publication and ongoing sales management through Melville Music Books are agreed separately.
Discuss your book
If you have a book or collection in mind, please complete the short enquiry form.
Tell me about your project and the material you have available—approximate figures are fine, and you do not need to have everything decided yet.
I’ll review your enquiry and get in touch to discuss the next steps.