Hello mate
The thinking poker podcast has some really good tips for live players. As Andrew and Nate both play mostly live and in the US. One of the podcasts covered note taking in detail.(im sorry I cant remember which one)
I recall one of them uses a notebook and one a smart phone. Andrew just opens up a blank email and takes notes on that.They use similar short hand techniques. eg c= call, cr = check raise. etc. I think one of them even drew a basic table outline with the seat numbers and players to match, so not to get mixed up.
If I recall they don’t take notes on every hand. But try to notice patterns and specific lines that people take. ie; viallian check raise (cr) flush draw (fd) on flop and then checks back (cb) turn when misses and takes free river card. That kind of thing.
Sorry im not a live player and im probably not explaining it very well. Maybe tweet @thinking poker to ask which episode covered live note taking .