Triads and Seventh Chords in Transposing Scores

Triads and Seventh Chords in Transposing Scores

Chapter 8

If we created a pitch class inventory from the example below, we would have the notes B, B, D, G, and F. This could be a G7 chord.

Transposing Scores

However, the horn part and violin 1 are always moving in 2nds. This would sound... icky. If we look at the label to the left of the French horn part, it has D in parentheses. This (D) means it is transposing.

Transposing Scores

What does this mean?

​Key Concept (page 166):

"For many instruments, called C instruments (or concert-pitch instruments), the pitch you see notated is the pitch you hear. For some wind and brass instruments, called transposing instruments, the pitch you see notated is not the pitch you hear."​

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Another way of saying this is the score shows the notes the instrumentalist plays, not the notes that the instrument creates.​

Multiple Choice

A transposing instrument means the pitch you see notated is not the pitch you hear.

• True

• False

​Things to know:

You can identify a transposed score by looking at the key signatures. If the key signatures for instruments playing at the same time aren't the same, there is likely a transposing instrument. Sometimes for an orchestra you will have a C score where it shows all of the sounding pitches for transposing instruments, though. This is much easier for anyone trying to do analysis of the score.

When reading a transposing instrument, use their transposing name as a cipher (like a spy breaking a code). If a Bb instrument plays a C written on a score, it sounds like a Bb. Therefore, everything a Bb instrument plays sounds a whole step lower. In other words, a Bb instrument is written a whole step higher.

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Bb instrument: play a notated Bb, hear a C.

Reading Bb transposing instruments

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If the written note on the score is F# for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a whole step lower. Therefore, it will sound like E.

Written Note: F#

If the written note on the score is A for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a whole step lower. Therefore, it will sound like G.

Written Note: A

Let's try some more

Use the name of the transposing instrument (Bb) and how it relates to the note C (a whole step apart) to figure out the concert pitch.

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is D for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is Eb for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is G# for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

We can use this same cipher method for other transposing instruments like Eb, F, and A instruments. Always figure out their relation to the note C; then, apply that to their notated name.

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Eb instrument: play a notated Eb, hear a C (sounds a m3 above)

F instrument: play a notated F, hear a C (sounds a P5 below)

A instrument: play a notated A, hear a C (sounds a m3 below)

Reading other transposing instruments

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Transposing Ciphers

That's... a lot.

Instead of memorizing these, learn how to remember them. If you write C, you will hear _____ (letter in the transposing name). Ask yourself, "What is the interval that separates them?" When looking at the staff, read up or down by that interval.

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is B for an A transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is F for an Eb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is Db for an F transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Fill in the Blanks

If the written note on the score is F# for a Bb transposing instrument, the sounding pitch will be a...

Transposing Instruments

​Examples

There are countless transposing instruments. For example, a Bb tenor saxophone, an Eb alto saxophone, a Bb tenor trombone, an F trumpet, an Eb trumpet, etc. There are also instruments that transpose by an octave. For example, a guitar sounds an octave lower than it is written.

For an extremely comprehensive list of transposing instruments... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_transposing_instruments

Open Ended

What questions do you have about transposing instruments?