Any tips or pointers to develop ability to transpose on the fly
- Thread starter zenesh
- Start date
theliverevolution
New member
Hmm, I get this problem all the time in church too. Haha
What I would reconmend is to actually memorize how the song is like, then transpose it down from memory. That means, you learn and remember the keys you're playing in its original tune, then later transpose it down according to the pitch of the worship leader. i'm not sure about your church, but my church usually recycles the same songs. So after a while you'll get used to the song and know how to transpose on the fly
What I would reconmend is to actually memorize how the song is like, then transpose it down from memory. That means, you learn and remember the keys you're playing in its original tune, then later transpose it down according to the pitch of the worship leader. i'm not sure about your church, but my church usually recycles the same songs. So after a while you'll get used to the song and know how to transpose on the fly
Cheez
Moderator
The way is to learn numbers instead of chords. Hence for a C major scale (C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, we'll leave B dim out at the moment) will be I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi (capital Roman letters for major chords and small letters for minor chords). If you have theory background, it will be easier to understand it.
Then play each piece in EVERY key possible. Start from easy songs. Don't miss the black keys (esp Db major, F# major etc). You'll find that you never had to memorise chords, only the numbers. I've trained my church keyboardists this way since ages past. Still teaching church musicians the same way today. This is because in church, key change is so often and unpredictable. We need to be comfortable to play in any key in any situation (eg. congregation sings in wrong key, or worship leader starts off in wrong key).
What started me on this (ie about 20 years ago) was when I heard one of my friends play 'As the deer" in Db major. I was schooling then. It blewed me away because Db major sounds just right (instead of the usual D). It's the right tonality. So I practiced the song starting from C, then Db, then D, then Eb, F, F# etc and soon found myself addicted to cover every single key (even though it's not singable as it becomes out of range). Then I started doing this for every song I know. After getting used to it, you start add in 7ths, 9ths and 11ths in every single key. I would always spend more time on F# major and B major (I find these 2 more challenging in a live situation). Before long, your fingers "remembers" how each chord feels in each key. Then you know you got it.
Then play each piece in EVERY key possible. Start from easy songs. Don't miss the black keys (esp Db major, F# major etc). You'll find that you never had to memorise chords, only the numbers. I've trained my church keyboardists this way since ages past. Still teaching church musicians the same way today. This is because in church, key change is so often and unpredictable. We need to be comfortable to play in any key in any situation (eg. congregation sings in wrong key, or worship leader starts off in wrong key).
What started me on this (ie about 20 years ago) was when I heard one of my friends play 'As the deer" in Db major. I was schooling then. It blewed me away because Db major sounds just right (instead of the usual D). It's the right tonality. So I practiced the song starting from C, then Db, then D, then Eb, F, F# etc and soon found myself addicted to cover every single key (even though it's not singable as it becomes out of range). Then I started doing this for every song I know. After getting used to it, you start add in 7ths, 9ths and 11ths in every single key. I would always spend more time on F# major and B major (I find these 2 more challenging in a live situation). Before long, your fingers "remembers" how each chord feels in each key. Then you know you got it.
Last edited:
pf
New member
Most of the melody of my scores are in numbers - 简谱.
Its easier to transpose melody also. Not just chords.
I know for pianists who have always been reading the grand staff find it difficult to read the melody in numbers...but trust me. Its very useful. Especially when you need to transpose a song you are unfamiliar with. And the pastor hands you the score just before service.
Its easier to transpose melody also. Not just chords.
I know for pianists who have always been reading the grand staff find it difficult to read the melody in numbers...but trust me. Its very useful. Especially when you need to transpose a song you are unfamiliar with. And the pastor hands you the score just before service.
Last edited:
Thanks for the pointers.
I can sight read faster then reading the 简谱 style of writing music but can see how it will aid transposition.
I find it easier to play (easier to form the chords) in the common keys (C,D,G). Guess it comes down to practising and becoming familiar with how the chord feels in all keys.
Besides converting the melody to 简谱 numbers, any pointers any transposition from a hymnal whereby there are no chord markings?
I can sight read faster then reading the 简谱 style of writing music but can see how it will aid transposition.
I find it easier to play (easier to form the chords) in the common keys (C,D,G). Guess it comes down to practising and becoming familiar with how the chord feels in all keys.
Besides converting the melody to 简谱 numbers, any pointers any transposition from a hymnal whereby there are no chord markings?
pf
New member
Hymnal with no chord markings! Thats torturous!
During the Holy Week, I was given a hymnal with chords in D and the music written in Eb. Thank God mine is a chinese hymnal. There are numbers on it. Thats why I can play the melody in D.
On another occasion, I was given a hymn with no chords but with numbers. I have never heard the hymn before, so I asked the Pastor to sing for me and I immediately try out the chords in a singable key (I think it was D or E) to see what fits. No time to transpose exactly. So, I play the chords by ear and sight read the melody in numbers.
During the Holy Week, I was given a hymnal with chords in D and the music written in Eb. Thank God mine is a chinese hymnal. There are numbers on it. Thats why I can play the melody in D.
On another occasion, I was given a hymn with no chords but with numbers. I have never heard the hymn before, so I asked the Pastor to sing for me and I immediately try out the chords in a singable key (I think it was D or E) to see what fits. No time to transpose exactly. So, I play the chords by ear and sight read the melody in numbers.
Last edited:
Me only can work up or down one key. Got time you could do work up some common chord progression exercise as many key as possible. Walk around circle of fifth or fourth. If you do half circle, you work with lot of chords already. Spend 20 minute max. Do a few key on different days.
Example: I-V/vii-vi-v for common chinese song.It is will take very long time and effort to do transpose on fly.
Example: I-V/vii-vi-v for common chinese song.It is will take very long time and effort to do transpose on fly.
Last edited:
Cheez
Moderator
Transposing scores on the fly is a real challenge. Particularly if you've never heard of it before!
If you've played it before, it's a matter of learning how to play by ear. You would have been familiar at least with the chord progressions (ie in Roman numerals) which aids transposition.
For sight-reading and transposing on the spot, I think the only way is to learn it the hard way. That is - transpose on the spot! I got a set of scores called "Transposition Studies", but written for the trumpet. It basically trains the trumpet player to transpose to any key on the fly. It's no joke. It includes short snippets from Haydn to Handel to Bach to Mozart, and the player needs to transpose on the spot to at least 8-9 different keys. I've yet to get it right!
Another way is to quickly jot down the chords, then play the transposed chords. Most times, you would be given the hymn before the service. Even if it's 5 minutes, you should be able to do it quickly if you got a good ear. Except for one time - I was given the hymn (new one) on the spot. Pastor walked up to pulpit, suddenly decided to sing one unusual hymn, handed me the score right in the middle of the service and told everybody to sing. At least I didn't have to transpose that one. I only had to sight-read. Whew.
If you've played it before, it's a matter of learning how to play by ear. You would have been familiar at least with the chord progressions (ie in Roman numerals) which aids transposition.
For sight-reading and transposing on the spot, I think the only way is to learn it the hard way. That is - transpose on the spot! I got a set of scores called "Transposition Studies", but written for the trumpet. It basically trains the trumpet player to transpose to any key on the fly. It's no joke. It includes short snippets from Haydn to Handel to Bach to Mozart, and the player needs to transpose on the spot to at least 8-9 different keys. I've yet to get it right!
Another way is to quickly jot down the chords, then play the transposed chords. Most times, you would be given the hymn before the service. Even if it's 5 minutes, you should be able to do it quickly if you got a good ear. Except for one time - I was given the hymn (new one) on the spot. Pastor walked up to pulpit, suddenly decided to sing one unusual hymn, handed me the score right in the middle of the service and told everybody to sing. At least I didn't have to transpose that one. I only had to sight-read. Whew.
Cheez
Moderator
Oh, that happens to me all the time! It's often not the pastor but it's the worship leader. And worse off, it always happens when I play the guitar, not the keyboard. And suddenly found out I have to play in Db major or F# major, and my capo is nowhere to be found. Piano much easier...
pf
New member
Haha, thank God my church worship leaders always plan the songs and tell us in advance. Its the pastors who follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do impromptu stuff.
Even if the worship leader want to sing something which was not prepared, they often tell us to give an intro in whatever key the song is, so they don't sing off key.
Even if the worship leader want to sing something which was not prepared, they often tell us to give an intro in whatever key the song is, so they don't sing off key.
Cheez
Moderator
Oh it gets better. We start intro in the key of G (ample time and ample intro), then when the first verse comes in, worship leader sings in F#. Then the rest of the congregation follows and sing in F#. You look at the other musicians, they look back at you, you look to the worship leader, he doesn't look at you, rest of congregation looks at you as if you are playing wrong ... oh man...
haha...
Much tougher for guitarist. They always give the weird looks when we play in the not popular keys.
As for the worship leading coming in different keys, find that is usually a problem when the song starts on the V chord. Then they tend to come in the key 5th down from the one we are in... Maybe its my intro that is not good. =)
Thanks for the many pointers.
Much tougher for guitarist. They always give the weird looks when we play in the not popular keys.
As for the worship leading coming in different keys, find that is usually a problem when the song starts on the V chord. Then they tend to come in the key 5th down from the one we are in... Maybe its my intro that is not good. =)
Thanks for the many pointers.