Transposition is a very useful skill to have, especially for orchestral trumpet playing where parts are often written in a different key. When first learning to transpose start with the most simple and most common key, C:
- Every note has to be moved up a tone (one step). C becomes D, G becomes A and so on.
- Watch out for accidentals. G# becomes A#, Ab becomes Bb. However up a tone Bb is going to become C natural. I find it helpful to imagine a piano keyboard.
- Add two sharps to the key signature (#s will cancel out bs) or work out what key the music is in and take it up a tone. Cmajor + 2#s = Dmajor (2x #s), F major (b) + 2#s = Gmajor (#).
- Start slowly with easy exercises. Don't be disheartened if you can't do it straight away - it takes practice.
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| Trumpet in C |
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| Trumpet in Bb |
Read my previous post on transposing from all keys
here.
