tips for transcribing?

I want to start transcribing classical music/jazz/pop. I guess transcribing a melody is simple enough, but things get a bit sticky with the middle voices and jumpy bass lines. What is the best way to go about doing this? Is there a specific "order" one has to follow?

Any suggestions for "beginner" pieces that are easy to start on? Please share some techniques that worked for you.

This is what I do:

1.) Load the audio into a sequencer. Slow down the audio about 20% but retain the pitches (there is software that does this and i think most professional sequencers have the ability to time stretch built in) and it helps with the middle voices. I try to build what is a tempo map so I know the approximate time signature and tempo throughout.

2.) Get the melody down next. While doing this you'll undoubtably adjust tempo and time sigs.

3.) Get the bass down next or if you want (depending on how detailed the transcription needs to be) do the chord symbol. If you have the melody, tempo map, and chord symbol that will help with the bass line plus the music should start sounding like the audio.

4.) with the melody and bass lines, you have a pretty good chance of knowing the chord so that helps with the middle voices.

I usually set my sequencer in loop mode on a section until I get the loop notes right. It definately helps to worry first and foremost about the long note values - for example, rather than trying to get every note in a bar, try to get every half note. Then go to quarter note, then go to 16th, etc.

It also helps if you have pretty good relative pitch so if you don't, you might want to brush up on that. It's painful at the beginning but you get better with practice.

Some music to try are songs, something with strong melody and clear harmony - perhaps some of the arias from Carmen? Pas de duex from the Nutcracker should be pretty easy or maybe that famous interlude from Swan Lake

. I think Tchaikovsky ballets should be good because they are short excerpts that have strong melodies, clear rhythm and harmonies.

You can also use the EQ of your player for bring the audios that may be harder for you to hear or understand.