Transposing

Hey everyone,

So far the things I've written were all for like instruments: two alto saxophones, voices, three flutes etc. but nothing that had a different key, like a clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon piece. So obviously when performed it won't sound right, because I wrote the score in all the same key, so how do I transpose my score in the key of C to other keys, like Bb or Eb, for those instruments?

thanks

-Mathieu

Transposition Chart

"Play a 'C', sound your key".

...how do I transpose my score in the key of C to other keys, like Bb or Eb, for those instruments...

I.e. Trumpet in Bb. Written C, produces a Bb tone. SO, move everything in the part UP one whole-step.

Get it?

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

i get it! that makes sense!

okay :) thanks you very much!

Of course, it's probably easier to write an entire score in C, and when you're done, you can just copy out the instrument parts properly transposed (or make Sibelius or Finale do it for you!)

Of course, it's probably easier to write an entire score in C, and when you're done, you can just copy out the instrument parts properly transposed (or make Sibelius or Finale do it for you!)

Also, because the parts will have to be transposed anyway, in rehearsals it helps for the conductor to just say to the clarinetist "play that F a bit louder" instead of transposing that for every instrument. But on the other hand it helps on reading scores. But on the third hand, it's just a matter of getting used to the transpositions in order to read a score efficiently. So in the last hand, I think scores in C are for lazy people (unless there is a good reason for it), and composers should bother writing transposed scores to, as flint said, understand the demands of the players better :)

You can leave it in C (you lazy person, you) and hope that the trumpet (or anything) player will be friendly enough to sight-transpose. Or you can do the right (and wise) thing and do as flint says and start thinking (and writing) in transposed pitch.

... I think scores in C are for lazy people...and composers should bother writing transposed scores to, as flint said, understand the demands of the players better :)

I always do both...but read from concert pitch scores. I don't usually give a scraggy what note he thinks he's playing, but why the note he's playing sounds awful with everyone else. Scores in "C" allow me to see the big picture, instantly.