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Copyists create written copies of various documents, including music manuscripts. The profession has existed since ancient times and is still important in areas with high illiteracy rates. Music copyists require a college degree in music and experience playing instruments, as well as attention to detail and communication skills. Advancement opportunities include higher-level roles such as composer or orchestrator.
Broadly speaking, a copyist creates written copies of a document. Copyists have existed in some form since ancient times, and other terms used to describe this profession include scrivener and calligraphus. Since the 20th century, the most predominant copyist jobs belong to music copyists. These individuals specialize in making copies of a musical manuscript.
During the first few centuries and in many parts of the world since, copyists performed a variety of transcription tasks. The profession plays a particularly important role in areas where illiteracy rates are high, and legal documents also provide abundant work for copyists in various areas around the world. Some of the many documents that copyists can create include work permits, patents, business documents, wills, ballots, legal drafts, and sales purchases. Computer programs are a preferred tool for copyists in the 21st century, but traditional pens, paper and rulers can also be used; most traditional copyists use a special type of pen known as a calligraphy pen. Educational requirements depend on the specific area of copying, but strong literacy is important in general.
Music copyists make up the majority of copyist job opportunities, and these individuals regenerate and revise sheet music and musical compositions to ensure they are in an organized and presentable form. The copyist takes the direction of a composer or arranger. Often, copyists are called upon to create individual sheets of music for each section of an orchestra or singing group. In such cases, the copyist will provide unique copies specific to the individual sections and which will provide input suggestions for the instrumentalists. Composers can also request assistance from a copyist in reviewing music or creating scores from a recording.
Due to some of the above requirements, qualified music copiers should ideally have a college degree in music and experience playing musical instruments. The ability to read and understand notation styles, conventions of different genres and instruments, and music theory are all important areas that a potential copyist should be familiar with. Attention to detail and communication skills are also vital skill sets for a music copyist. The famous composer Beethoven was famous for his contentious relationship with his copyists due to the sloppy work of officials, full of mistakes and personality conflicts.
There are many advancement opportunities for music copyists. Employees can use the profession as an entry-level opportunity for higher-level roles such as composer or orchestrator. Copyists work as apprentices, interns or full-time for orchestras, television and film studios, recording studios or many other types of businesses where the need exists.
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