Detailed transcription and faithful re-creation from a reference recording—translated into accurate, practical scores, parts, and session-ready music.
John Sawoski can work by ear from an existing recording or demo to capture the melody, harmony, voicings, rhythms, articulations, instrumentation, and performance details that give it its character. The result can be adapted for the musicians, venue, recording session, or production that will use it.
What This Service Can Include
Transcription & Adaptation
- Full-ensemble or selected-part transcription
- Melody, harmony, voicings, rhythms, and articulations
- Conductor scores and individual musician parts
- Vocal, rhythm-section, orchestral, and theatrical materials
- Reductions, expansions, and changes of instrumentation
Re-Creation & Production
- Instrumentation and session planning
- Mockups and revisions before recording
- Conducting and musician contracting
- Piano, keyboards, and programming
- Recording supervision and delivery coordination
The goal is to preserve the essential musical detail and feel of the reference while making the materials practical for the performers and production at hand.
“You really do have some of the best ears in the business.”
Kim Scharnberg, Broadway and Hollywood orchestrator
Case Study: “If I Could”
For this sound-alike project, John transcribed and adapted the full arrangement from Ray Charles’s recording, prepared the score, played piano and synthesizer, conducted, and coordinated the instrumental re-creation at Capitol Records Studios.
1. Reference Recording: Ray Charles
Listen to Ray Charles’s original recording on YouTube (official artist channel).
Songwriters: Ron Miller, Ken Hirsch, and Marti Sharron. The original recording was produced by Richard Perry, with string arrangement and conducting by Jeremy Lubbock.
2. Full Score Transcribed and Adapted by John Sawoski
The score captures the arrangement in performance-ready form. A few changes made during the recording session are not reflected in this version.
3. Sound-Alike Re-Creation by John Sawoski
John Sawoski: piano, synthesizer, conductor, transcription, and adaptation
Recorded and mixed by: Steve Genewick
Rhythm Section
Drums: Bernie Dresel
Bass: Rick Shaw
Electric Guitar: Andrew Synowiec
Piano and Synthesizer: John Sawoski
Strings
Violins: Bob Peterson, Sai-Ly Acosta, Nancy Roth, Gerardo Hilera, Kathleen Robertson, Xiao He, Ayako Sugaya, and Serena McKinney
Violas: David Stenske and Cheryl Gates
Cellos: John Acosta and Kevan Torfeh
Bass: Geoff Osika
Related Services
- Vocal Artists & Recording Production
- Musical Theatre Arranging & Orchestration
- Orchestral & String Arranging
- Return to Services & Work Samples
Discuss a Transcription Project
Send the reference recording or demo, together with the instrumentation, intended use, deadline, and the materials you need. Initial inquiries are welcome even if the final ensemble or production plan is still being determined.