Hello
Just started g5 theory and worked to page 17 of Eric Taylor Music Theory in Practice. Got to bit where transposing Bflat to concert pitch etc... Excercise 17.

Am I right to assume that a major 2nd can be one semitone ie e to f or two semiitones c to bflat.

Also when transposing a piece would a major pieece always be transposed to a major piece and minor to minor.

BFN Mike

I might be wrong as its been ages since i did grade 5 theory but isnt a major second always 2 semitones like C to Bb, as if you start on E (like in E maj), a major second is E to F#? (Sorry if this is wrong as i've probably just confuzzled you more..)

A major second is always two semitones (or one whole tone). For example, C-D, Bb-C, E-F#.

Hello
Thanks I did think it was two semitones..it's my mistake on the example it confused me because I forgot it was f sharp to e.
Thanks for help.
BFN Mike

When transposed to a new key, the piece has to sound exactly the same, so yes, major to major and minor to minor. A major 2nd is always a whole tone (or 2 semitones.) A MINOR 2nd, on the other hand is a semitone.

Hello again
would it always be major to major and minor to minor.
thanks Mike

Yes

One way to think about it is that the piece has to sound the same when it's transposed; all the notes must be lowered by the same amount (i.e. number of tones or semitones). The intervals in the transposed version must be the same as the intervals in the original version (i.e. major to major and minor to minor and therefore the same number of semitones) otherwise it won't sound the same anymore.

The cheat's way to transpose by a major second is of course just to move all the notes up (or down if transposing down) two on the stave, i.e. a note on a line goes on the line above and a note in a space goes in the space above: requires very little thought (don't forget the key signature though, or you're not allowed one note what it is and then just go through the transposed version when you've finished and make all the Bs flat or whatever). The only bit you have to think about then is any accidentals in the original, to ensure you add them and spell them correctly. Not a method that promotes great understanding but might be useful for checking your answers. (This also works for all other intervals, work out where the first note in the transposed version goes, count the number of lines and spaces it's moved and then move all the others up by the same number ).

Would reccomend

Eric Tyalor's

AB guide to music theory
Parts I and II

Regards

Check your transposition exercises at first by playing both versions on your chosen instrument. If they sound the same, Provided you've transposed the interval correctly, you have transposed correctly. If it is not, where it differs it is wrong.