Quick Transposition Question Options

[Pixie*Porsche]

I'm writing a few pieces for 3x clarinets in Bb, 1x flute, 1x alto saxophone in Eb and a piano. Basically it's for a primary school.

If the clarinets are playing in C major and the piano is playing in Bb major, the saxophone is playing in G major, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jm-hamilton]

Yes, that's right (I think ) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Just spent about 10 minutes working it out!!!!

edit: CHanged my mind - don't think it's right now - help, someone who knows!!!

[linda.ff]

Yes, that's right (I think ) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Just spent about 10 minutes working it out!!!!

edit: CHanged my mind - don't think it's right now - help, someone who knows!!!

I always work out my transpositions by using the sentence "He thinks he's playing a C" (But it's really a Bb/Eb/F/whatever his instrument is in)

So if the sax thinks he's playing a C (well, OK, he knows he's not really) but it's an Eb, then it's the fourth of the key the piano is in. CThe C he thinks he's playing is the fourth of the key he thinks he's playing in, which is G, So that's right.

Of course a sax player will have a more direct route, mine was just the scenic way! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[mrmusic2007]

Far easier and quicker.....

Bb instruments clarinets/trumpets etc deduct 2 flats from C instruments (piano/flute/violin etc key signature
Eb instruments deduct 3 flats
F instruments (horns) deduct 1 flat

So if C signature is Ab, (4 flats)
Clarinets are in Bb (2 flats)
Alto sax is in F (1 flat)

If C inst. signature has not enough flats, then add on sharps!!

So C sig Bb (2 flats)
Bb sig is C ( 0 flats)(2-2=0
Eb sig is G (deduct 2 flats and add on 1 sharp)2-2=0 +1

If you start with Bb instrument in C then
C instrument add 2 flats
Eb instrument deduct one flat (no flats in C key sig so add 1 sharp)

Just remember how many flats are in the key of the instrument you are arranging for and compensate for them....or better still buy a computer programme like Sibelius which will do it for you!!

[SaxLad]

I'm writing a few pieces for 3x clarinets in Bb, 1x flute, 1x alto saxophone in Eb and a piano. Basically it's for a primary school.

If the clarinets are playing in C major and the piano is playing in Bb major, the saxophone is playing in G major, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

In a word. Yes.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

YAY thank you all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So glad I'd got it right, LOL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[VH2]

Far easier and quicker.....

Bb instruments clarinets/trumpets etc deduct 2 flats from C instruments (piano/flute/violin etc key signature
Eb instruments deduct 3 flats
F instruments (horns) deduct 1 flat

So if C signature is Ab, (4 flats)
Clarinets are in Bb (2 flats)
Alto sax is in F (1 flat)

If C inst. signature has not enough flats, then add on sharps!!

So C sig Bb (2 flats)
Bb sig is C ( 0 flats)(2-2=0
Eb sig is G (deduct 2 flats and add on 1 sharp)2-2=0 +1

If you start with Bb instrument in C then
C instrument add 2 flats
Eb instrument deduct one flat (no flats in C key sig so add 1 sharp)

Just remember how many flats are in the key of the instrument you are arranging for and compensate for them....or better still buy a computer programme like Sibelius which will do it for you!!

You may find that quicker and easier. I find it completely confusing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

All you have to remember is that the note in the name of the instrument is the note that sounds when the player plays a notated C.

So:

Bb clarinet. Notation says C. The sound made is Bb
A Clarinet. Notation says C. The sound made is A

etc.

I find this much simpler (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Kai-Lei]

You may find that quicker and easier. I find it completely confusing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

All you have to remember is that the note in the name of the instrument is the note that sounds when the player plays a notated C.

So:

Bb clarinet. Notation says C. The sound made is Bb
A Clarinet. Notation says C. The sound made is A

etc.

I find this much simpler (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yes, so then the arranger can write two or more scales in parallel to speed up the job of transposition. A little practice at writing out orchestral scores and it's soon second nature!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Good luck.