[TPIN] Transposing help wanted

[Guy Hayden]

Here is the way I teach transposition.

The pitch name of the instrument indicates what pitch sounds when a written
"C" is played.  Figure the distance between the pitch of the instrument YOU
are holding and the PART before you.  Do that.  

Example:  You are holding a Bb trumpet.  You have a D trumpet part.  (The D
trumpet sounds a "D" when playing a "C".)  "D" is a major third above Bb.
Play everything up a major third.     

"...cut out Mr. In-Between"

Do NOT transpose note by note.  Rather, play by interval.  Determine the
starting note then play by interval.  The part goes up a fifth, you go up a
fifth.  The part goes down a half-step, you go down a half-step.

Transposing line-to-line or space-to-space is less confusing than line/space
transposition.

Keep in mind that European orchestral parts for "B" Trumpet are often meant
for Bb Trumpet!  In Germany "B" means B-flat; "H" means B-natural.

Bb Trumpet/C part -- playing everything up a whole step.

Bb Trumpet/ F part -- play up a perfect fifth -- YIKES!  Very high indeed!

Bb Trumpet/A part -- play everything down a half-step

A Trumpet/ Eb part -- play up a tritone.  Ugly transposition...everything is
out of tune.

Does this help?

Guy Hayden, Music Director and Conductor
The Northern Neck Orchestra
Kilmarnock, VA  USA