[Dixielandjazz] freebies

[AL LEVY]

O.K.
Here goes my foot into my mouth again.
It seems a little curious to me with all the griping
about freebies, that many people on this list will
ask for copies of tunes whether midi or .pdf. - no charge.
-------- and they usually get them

At least half my income is from writing. Are arranger and
composer types also musicians and members of the union?

Time was I could get up to a few hundred dollars for
a combo chart [original of course]. Today due to the
use of duplicating machines and computers it's tough
to sell a big band arrangement for that price.

Just for the record, I created  different fake books using
notation software with 650 - 1000 songs in each. Each
song [for the most part] has melody, chords and lyrics.
Ususally composer credits are included. There are times
that I just can't find the composer's name[s].

Each book takes apx. 1 year to complete. I then create
.pdf files from the music. Next step I create and index using
a combination of data base software + word processor. I create
a .pdf file of the index. Next I link every song in the index to the
actual sheet music. If that isn't enough I link every song to the
next in alfa order so the user can scroll thru all the titles.
Next I link all the page number [on the tune page] so the user
can scroll thru the book by page number. And of course, the
user can link back to the index by clicking on my name, "included
in the credits." The work using ADOBE takes a good week or two.
Last step is to put the entire mess on cd. I ask you, is it worth
15.00 a book? [the song titles are on my web site] at
http://alevy.com/realbook.htm

I offered to pay the royalties. The response... "not enough sales
to warrant the bookkeeping.

and a happy new year to all,
Al
Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Teacher and Music Prep.
Please visit me at
http://alevy.com