Episode 11 explores how the instruments in band and orchestra can appear to be playing in different key signatures in a score.
Episode 11 explores how the instruments in band and orchestra can appear to be playing in different key signatures in a score, when in reality some parts are played on transposing instruments. (1:10). Therefore, each instrument ends up playing the same concert pitches and harmonies together. (3:30). Eliscia concludes the episode with an example of two melodies played on two different instruments (4:32).
Question of the day: (7:02) What traditional band instruments are transposed in F
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Hi and welcome to the APsolute Recap: Music Theory Edition. Today’s episode will recap Transposing Instruments
Lets Zoom out:
We’re in Unit 2 Music Fundamentals
Topic 2.7
Our Big idea is Pitch
Imagine you're in a flute player in a woodwind ensemble and your conductor requests the group to play a concert Bb scale. You, being the amazing flutist you are, start with a Bb, and the clarinet player starts with a C. You obviously are a better musician and get the highest praise from your conductor. WRONG! The APsolute Recap is here to stop you from making of a fool of yourself by trying to tattle tail on the clarinet player.
Lets Zoom in:
When the notated pitches are different from the sounding pitches, then the melody is being played by a transposing instrument. Traditional Western music often will have transposing instruments, such as trumpet, saxophone or clarinet. The score for band or orchestra will show these parts in their different key signatures. Therefore, when you analyze a score, you need to convert the pitches to be all in the same key, with the use of your melodic transposition skills.
First you will need to identify how the pitches will change with different transposed instruments. Use the notation and interval relationships to determine patterns, chords and harmonic progressions. Remember the key signature and the name of the instrument in the score can sometimes be a clue to transposed instruments. For example Bb clarinet is in Bb. You will not need to memorize all transpositions for all instruments, but you will need to know how to unpack a question that asks you to transpose a specific interval. Generally speaking, it is good to be aware that most instruments are in the key of C, Eb, Bb or F. Some instruments seem like non-transposing instruments, such as piccolo, guitar and recorder. When in reality, they are written in a different octave. This is mainly done for easier reading by the performer, so they are not constantly reading ledger lines.
Why do they even transpose at all? Well, if you learn the fingering for C on the Bb clarinet, it will be the same for the alto and bass clarinet. That C will not sound the same, but it will be written to fit in the same concert pitch as the rest of the ensemble. Another reason for transposing instruments, is that they are constructed in a way to get certain qualities of sound, and instead of trying to build all instruments to be concert C, they kept the construction and labeled it with the transposed pitch.
For your own practice at home, play a melody on a C instrument, such as piano, violin, or ukulele. Read the same written melody by playing it on a transposing instrument such as French horn, clarinet or saxophone. How far away are the intervals when the transposing instrument plays the same music? How would the notation need to change to play concert pitch?
Here is an example for you to try. I will start by playing two melodies played on two different instruments. (Violin Melody) (Saxophone melody). Now, I will reveal which instruments played each melody. First the violin, (violin melody) now you will hear the same notation played by the saxophone (saxophone melody). How far away is the interval between the starting pitches? (violin starting pitch) and (saxophone starting pitch). Now that we have uncovered that the saxophone is a minor third away, we can determine that the notation and key signatures would need to be altered by a minor third. You can do this same exercise between two different transposed instruments, such as trumpet and alto clarinet. Then for an extra challenge, transpose both instruments into concert pitch. This is of course all an exercise, because violins rarely get to play with saxophones.
Finally, know that listening to examples is always going to be helpful for studying music. Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is just one of the many recordings that explains and demonstrates transposing instruments and timbres.
To recap……
Transposing instruments exist to make reading and playing easier for the musician, while also preserving the best sound quality through the instrument’s construction. Look closely at the key signature of a non-transposing instrument, such as the flute, and compare it with a transposing instrument, such as the English horn, to see the interval differences.
Coming up next on the Apsolute RecAP Music Theory Edition: Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation & Sight Reading
Today’s Question of the day is about transposing instruments.
Question: What traditional orchestra instruments are transposed in F?