Accompaniment Track Recording Info

Lately I've gotten a lot of interest in commissioned mp3 accompaniment tracks, which are really convenient when collaborative pianists are scarce in the area or social distancing measures prevent someone from being able to have a quality collaborator in person. However, I know many soloists and teachers are new to the whole commissioning process, so I thought I'd outline what you'll need here.

If you'd like to commission an accompaniment track, shoot me an email at ndipaolo +at+ iu +dot+ edu!

The steps you'll take to commission an accompaniment are the following:

1. Purchase the exact score you'll need me to record. If you need it in a specific key, purchase it in that key if possible.

• Transpositions of a step or two can be done in Audacity software, but more significant transpositions can distort the piano's sound, so get the right key if at all possible. 
• You can also commission me to notate a score in the key you want, if it's not available, at $15 per page of the original score that you give me. 
• Transcription by ear starts at $60 per audio-minute if no score exists for the track you need. This will be a required step if the piece you need recorded only exists in audio format--I cannot learn and record a piece entirely by ear and this is not a reasonable request to make of a classical musician more generally, given how dense and exacting classical scores are. Thus, you'll enter two different commission projects: first, you'll commission a notated score transcription, then you'll commission the recorded accompaniment. (Keep this in mind if you have a looming deadline. Transcription and engraving projects cannot be completed on a rush basis due to the physical labor involved in score typesetting.)

2. Send me the score, along with any specifications about cuts, tempos, or timings that are not obvious in the score. If you're sending me a song or aria with multiple verses, specify how many verses you'll need.

3. I will quote you a rate based on the difficulty and required turnaround time. Relatively straightforward tracks of average length tend to run about $40 each, assuming one hour of recording and mastering time per track, but more complex recording projects will command increased rates depending on the scope. "Guide tracks," for which I only record vocal lines to help singers during the learning process, will run a bit lower, and very simple projects that don't require much or any mastering are also eligible for lower rates.

4. Complete payment through PayPal, Venmo, or Chase QuickPay/Zelle (your choice) at any point before the projected return date for the track(s).

5. Enjoy your customized accompaniment!

Additional information:

• I can save the tracks in mp3 or wav format as you desire--wav files are higher in quality but are also much larger and not always playable using mp3 players.
• I use a Baldwin grand piano, a Blue Yeti USB microphone, and Audacity software to create the tracks. If you need a MIDI file to feed into other software on your end, let me know. I do have some access to a Yamaha P125 keyboard with this capability, but by default, I record the tracks acoustically, which results in a more satisfying and lifelike sound. The space I record in is rather "live." 
• If you're already enrolled in my private studio as a regular vocal coaching client, your accompaniment tracks are free!