Chris Schuette is an award-winning composer and pianist/keyboardist with over 4 decades of experience in many musical styles
I can provide piano, synth and other keyboard tracks quickly and professionally. I also have extensive experience in composing for TV, film, commercials, and all sorts of web applications.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Chris Schuette
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Working on a 1930s-style soundtrack for a short black & white film.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Love them both.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will do my best work for you.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I get to work with creative people all the time and I get to do what I love.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's easy to do well.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: It helps if the customer can verbalize the kind of sound they want. They don't need to sound like a musician, but a clear idea helps out a ton!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing the family piano when I was 5 years old and I've been making music for the last 40 years. I studied with some of the best teachers in my town and I've never stopped learning.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Know your history. Clients have specific needs and ideas, and it pays to learn about different styles, genres and production techniques.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a fun, yet professional energy and love for the craft.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: When a client tells me the kind of sound they're looking for, I ask a lot of follow-up questions to make sure we're on the same page. Then, I get to work!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is built around MOTU's Digital Performer. It's the perfect software for composing to picture, plus it plays well with my vintage gear. Everything is set up to get the right sound as quickly as possible.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: John Williams, Bernard Herrmann, Danny Elfman, Dr. John, Horace Silver
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work is full composition for film and commercials
I was the Composer & Performer in this production
- PianoAverage price - $200 per song
- Film ComposerContact for pricing
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
Price includes 2 revisions. 2-day turnaround on keyboard tracks. 1 week turnaround for film scores (films less than 10 minutes.)
- Leon Russell
- Elton John
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Hammond Organ
- Wurlitzer Electronic Piano
- Rhodes
- Synthogy Ivory II
- Digital Performer