Music Theory Course

Unit #20

Transposing

Many times a piece of music needs to be played in a Key other than its original Key.

Some reasons for this are;

1. To put the piece in a better range for the instrument or vocalist.

2. To put the piece in a less awkward key. (ie. 2 sharps instead of 5 flats)

3. Writing the piece for different transposed instruments. (Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto, etc.)

Moving a piece to another Key is called transposing.

Transposing to another key in the middle of a piece is called "modulating."

 

Original Melody

 

Transposed Melody

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How To Transpose

1. Decide how far you are moving. Are you going up 1 step, down 5, etc., etc.? Are you counting the first note as 1?

2. Change the Key Signature. If you are going up 5 steps from the Key of C (no sharps or flats) then you will be in the Key of G. (1 sharp)

3. Move each note.

4. Add accidentals.

 

Original Melody In Key of C

 

Transposed Melody In Key of G (up Perfect 5)

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Transposing Melodies Exercises

1. Name the notes of this melody if it were transposed to: Need Help?

a) the Key of B.

the answer is!!

b. the key of F.

the answer is!!!

Transposing Harmonies

There are two ways to transpose harmonies.

I. Transpose each note in the harmony.

II. Transpose the chord and its inversion to the new Key;

1. Find out the relative position of the chord. (ie. The I chord, V7 chord, IIm Chord, etc.)

2. Find out the inversion. (ie. 1rst inversion, 2nd inversion, etc.)

3. Write that chord and its inversion in the new key. (ie. Write the V7 chord in 1rst inversion in the new key of G.)

 

 

Original Harmony In Key of C

 

Harmony Transposed up 3 Semi- tones From Original (C-Eb)

 

Harmony Transposed Down Perfect 4 from original C- G and

down Major 6 from 1rst Transposition (Eb - G)

 

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Transposing Harmonies Exercises

For the following example:

i) Name the new "transposed" chords in each measure.

ii) Name the notes of the chords.

Transpose to the Key of A.

   Measure 1 Measure 2 Measure 3 Measure 4

 Chord
      

 Notes

 

 

 

 

the answer is!!!

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