My main interest and expertise in typesetting is Highland pipe music, but I also work on broader projects covering other Scottish/Celtic instrumentation.

 

I usually have only limited time for larger projects but music typesetting is a real passion for me so please reach out to discuss how I might help with your project!

 

 

INFORMATION

 

BAGPIPE / SCOTTISH / CELTIC TUNES:

Professionally typed and laid out as an A4 PDF

 

ORIENTATION:

You may request landscape or portrait orientation, otherwise I will opt for whichever I believe works best for the tune.

 

SOURCE MATERIAL:

I am able to work from handwritten manuscript or audio recordings so long as the quality is reasonable.

 

PAYMENT:

I can accept payment through my website using all the usual methods.

Please contact me first to discuss the project before making any payment.

 

COPYRIGHTED MUSIC:

It is your responsibility to obtain any permissions required to use copyrighted materials. Permissions must be forwarded to me before final PDFs can be sent.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

I know we’re not all music theory technicians so if there are any issues or uncertainties with the piece I will provide feedback and offer advice where possible. If it requires a substantial amount of tweaking I may need to increase the cost. Of course, I will make that clear and check with you before starting any work.

 

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PRICE LIST

 

INDIVIDUAL TUNES:

 

• Light music tune with typical time signature and layout:  £15

There may be an additional charge to include harmony parts or other melodic lines depending on the complexity.

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• Piobaireachd with typical phrase structure £25

For irregular phrase structures or an otherwise unusual tune I may contact you to discuss options before proceeding. If you’re not sure about piobaireachd structures, the Piping Centre has published an excellent article by Capt. John A. MacLellan MBE here:

https://bagpipe.news/2020/04/30/the-structure-of-piobaireachd-2/

 

• Multi-part arrangements / pieces not typical in the Scottish tradition / other unusual pieces – please contact me to discuss.

 

 

MUSIC COLLECTIONS / BOOKS:

 

Please contact me to discuss options and prices.

 

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Information and things to consider:

 

BOOK SECTIONS:

A music book typically comprises of some or all of these elements:

• Cover: Front, inside front, back, inside back, spine (for perfect bound books)

• Front Matter: Containing a variety of pages such as copyright info, contents, foreword, acknowledgements etc.

• Main Body: The music, sometimes mixed with information on tunes, photos etc.

• Back Matter: Contents (if not in the front matter), tune stories etc.

 

PRINTING:

There are many options to consider when printing a book, such as the types and weights of paper, colour vs black&white, different binding options, the number of copies to be printed in the first and subsequent runs. I can offer some advice on these but it is usually best to discuss these options with the print company.

 

I use a variety of professional computer programs for every part of a book design and can send print quality and correctly laid out files directly to the printers.

 

I do not work with any specific printer so I am happy to work with any company you prefer, or I can advise on some options.

 

BARCODE / ISMN

You may wish to add a barcode or ISMN (International Standard Music Number) to your book.

 

GRAPHIC DESIGN:

Note that I am not a professional graphic designer so I am able to offer only relatively basic cover designs.