Chord sheets are an easy way to perform a song, adding chords to either the lyrics, or the vocal/main melody line for a quick route to performance. Lead sheets are similar and are often used by jazz bands for easy structure writing and improvisation. These can be created from an audio/video file or a link. By default the final result will be a PDF lead sheet but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £25ph*

These are useful when you need the fundamental aspects of a piece of music transcribed, and include Melodic and Bass progressions and harmonic information. Such transcriptions may form the basis of later arrangement or for live improvised arrangement when players pick which line to follow. By default the final result will be a PDF score (with or without parts) but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £30ph*

Most commonly used for wanting to learn a song or have a musician accompany a vocalist. Send a link to the song or an audio file and receive a professional arrangement at whatever skill level is required. By default the final result will be a PDF score but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £35ph*

For hand-written or printed scores which need editing or correcting in some way. Scores can also be re-voiced (eg turning four staves of a choral piece into two). By default the final result will be a PDF score and a set of parts (if required) but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £30ph*

Many modern soundtrack composers work in Logic Pro and other DAWs and blend production elements with instrumental composition, using software instrumentals to create an initial representation of the score. Shallow Water Music can then produce the sheet music (scores and parts) for subsequent recording. By default the final result will be a PDF score and a set of parts (if required) but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £35ph*

You may have a basic understanding of Sibelius or other engraving software (Dorico, Finale etc.) which enables you to create a basic engraving of your score. Shallow Water Music can then add a professional finish, preparing it for performance or recording. By default the final result will be a PDF score and a set of parts (if required) but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £20ph*

Young songwriters and bands frequently create the fundamentals of a new song, either a melody or a chord progression but need help to develop and realise the true potential of what they’ve written. This might be either by adding chords to the melody, or extending the existing structure to provide a chorus, bridge, or other sections. By default the final result will be a PDF lead sheet but can be delivered in other formats. Get in touch for further information and a quote.

from £30 per track*

If you’re looking for an original and personal piece of music to accompany a video you’ve created as an introduction for your YouTube channel or for any other visual content which would be enhanced by a soundtrack, then Shallow Water Music can do that too. Check out the Composition page for a portfolio of original compositions.

from £40 per track*

Learning how to read music, and how to apply the rules which underpin music composition, never seems quite as appealing as learning how to play an instrument; it is consequently overlooked by many musicians. However, being able to read music and understand how music works can enhance both your playing and your writing. Have you ever wondered why most chart songs follow the same four chords? How a G9 differs from a Gadd9? What distinguishes C7 from Cma7 or Cm7? What 7/4 means? Why we sometimes use E# and B# instead of F and C? An understanding of music theory will answer all these questions and more, and take your music-making to a whole new level, whether you’re a beginner or have been playing for some time. Contact Michael to arrange your first lesson.

from £20 a lesson*

Logic Pro is one of the leading industry DAWs and is the most popular DAW when it comes to writing music. Sibelius is the industry standard for creating sheet music. Both try to be user friendly and provide online tutorials, yet can still be incredibly daunting to new users. Knowing what you want from the software can help, but finding the information you need, or learning the little tricks and hacks to make the software work for you, can be difficult. Lessons in the software can be tailored directly to whatever you need to learn, and you will soon be adept at generating professional-sounding mixes and professional-looking scores. Contact Michael to arrange your first lesson.

from £20 a lesson*

These days, technology crops up in every genre of music, and its terminology and complexity can be hard to navigate. Michael can help with your tech requirements in a number of areas with one-off sessions. These can include:
- how to recreate a track live without using laptops and computers
- how to recreate FX and understand hardware FX chains (eg guitar pedals)
- how to use technology to your advantage as a performing musician without compromising the live and characteristics of the performance
- the basics of song writing and arranging; how to develop the song you’ve written and how to take it to the next level.
- the basics of studio mixing and production; where to start and what to look out for to create the best possible mix. Contact Michael to arrange your first lesson.

from £20 a lesson*