Klarinet Archive - Posting 000426.txt from 1997/02

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Transposing
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 09:24:37 -0500

>This may sound stupid, but many of you have written, "add X amount of
>sharps when transposing to X instrument..." When I have done this in the
>past, it has not sounded quite right and I was wondering if I am supposed
>to start on a different note or something. I usually end up transposing
>as I play by ear:( Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>Kumquat
>Ryan Lowe
>ryan@-----.edu

Ryan,
ABSOLUTELY! That part must have been left out by whoever explained
it! Transposition involves starting on a different note and playing it in
the key that results from moving to that note (i.e., moving every single
note a specific interval feom the original note.)

Example:

You want to play on clarinet (Bb) a part that was originally
written for oboe (C). Suppose the oboe part is written in the key of D (F#
and C# in the key signature.). Since a Bb instrument sounds one step lower
than a C instrument (when a "C" instrument plays a C, we have to play a D
to get a note that matches), in order to play this oboe part at the same
pitch it would sound on an oboe, we need to shift EVERY note up one full
step. If the part were written in the key of C, it's rather easy to see
that we would now be playing in the key of D (i.e., shift each note up one
step and change the key signature to F# and C#). In the example above,
however (the oboe part in the key of D already), we now shift everything up
one step and move into the key of E (4 sharps).
Suppose you want to transpose a part from an instrument that is NOT
in the key of C? The process is the same, but now you have to figure out
how many steps you have to move based on the "difference" between YOUR key
and THEIR key. To play a part written for Eb alto sax, you would need to
shift up 2.5 steps (Bb->C is one step, C->D is one step, D->Eb is a half
step) and also shift the key signature up 2.5 steps: if the part were
written in the key of D for sax, you would now play in the key of F (key
signature: Bb).
Now, the infamous "correct clarinet" problem: Your director gives
you your part and it says "Clarinet in A"! You only have a Bb clarinet, so
what do you do? To transpose from a part for an A instrument to a part for
a Bb instrument, you have to shift DOWN a half step: you start one half
step lower than the note that is written and you shift the key signature
down one half step as well. This will usually put it into a horrible key
with more sharps than you ever knew existed, but that's how it works!
Thus, if the A part were written in the key of C, you would start one half
step down and use the key signature for the key of B (F#, C#, G#, D#, E#,
A#). (SHORTCUT: just "flat" every note and play as written!)
Be aware, though, that some instruments are written an octave
higher or lower than they actually sound (piccolos are written lower, some
bass instruments are written higher), so in addition to moving all your
notes a specific interval and changing your key signature, you also may
have to shift everything by an octave!

I hope this helps!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410) 955-3631

SDM@-----.edu

   
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