rpsoft 2000 logo, showing computers, music and a blackjack table

TRANSPOSE

MUSIC CHORD
TERMS DICTIONARY

 

 
   

TRANSPOSE

Transpose means to change from one key to another.  Nowadays in this electronic age - depending on the musical instrument - one might be able to do that electronically by an adjustment that takes care of it for us.  However, the old method is to take a piece of music and change all notes one by one to another.

How does one transpose?  Well, music indeed has a mathematical side.  Whatever works in one key can be translated note by note to another key - if all changes are the same distance in notes - and the new key will also seem just fine.

In practice, one can line up two chromatic scales such as is done below.  Perhaps we wish to change a song in the key of C to the key of G?  Well if we put the C chromatic scale on top and the chromatic scale starting with G below that, we can simply look up each change that we need.

Chromatic Scale starting with C - lined up with G chromatic scale

Notes C C# D Eb E F F# G G# A Bb B C C# D    
Number G G# A Bb B C C# D Eb E F F# G G# A    

How do we do this?  Read notes or chords from the top line, and substitute the bottom name.  For example, all C notes now should be a G note.  All F# notes should be C# notes.  And Bb Major chords should now be F Major chords.  Do you see how this works?

Musicord Software Note

The Musicord Software  for windows shown below does include a sliding chromatic scale at the bottom that by using its arrows, line up any chromatic scale with any other for transpose convenience.  Of course the program also shows many chords, notes for chords and chord fingerings for both keyboard and stringed instruments.


 
   

Now Available !  Musicord Version 3 software for Windows
Shows chords and chord fingerings for
Keyboard and many stringed instruments

screen shot of musicord software ehowing E major chord

(note: actual screen size is larger in usage)

Click Here for More Musicord Information

Click Here for eBook Info on One Person Band Recording

Click here to visit the main rpsoft 2000 software site

Click here to view more music chord terms and definitions

     
One person band techniques book   Book: Becoming a One Person Band (click for info)
eBook Available from Google Play, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook

If you have some instrument skills, particularly with a keyboard instrument such as piano, organ, accordion, or keyboard itself or similar, you can do multiple track recording and create you own band recording of perhaps 4 or 8 or 16 or more pieces. This book focuses on music theory on help for determining what some of those other band parts might play, such as strings, bass or other instruments.