Cue your mp3 file. Prepare the mp3 for playback using audio editing software or a playback device with speed adjustment capability if you have the music education and note recognition training required to transcribe music manually. Otherwise, try the digital transcription method outlined in Section 2.
Position your sheet music and pencil so that you may write quickly. Place the sheet music on a hard surface within your immediate reach. Keep your pencil handy, if not actually in your hand.
Play your mp3 file. Slow down the playback to make note recognition easier.
Transcribe your mp3 file. Use the pencil to take down each note as you hear it. Feel free to pause and rewind as you listen for notes.
Locate a MIDI or karaoke file of your mp3. Download and install the freeware version of WIDI Recognition System to convert the mp3 to MIDI if the notes are not too complex.
Purchase the full version or download a free trial version of a music note transcription program such as Notation. Install the software.
Open the MIDI or karaoke file in your note transcription software. Using music note transcription software gives you a breakdown of the notes that comprise the MIDI file.