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Topic: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones... (Read 3235 times) previous topic - next topic

Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Hey everyone...
I was wondering if anyone could help me...
I was searching to find out how to transpose flute music into B flat clarinet music...
I did find out I have to add two semitones...
But what does that mean??
Could someone give me an example...
Please help, really urgent,
BJ

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #1 –
Hey BJ

Assuming the music is notated correct in C major, then to play it on a Bb instrument, you would need to transpose the C music up two semitones.

By going to the "Tools" menu and selecting "Transpose" set it to transpose +2, and hit okay.

You'll notice the music on the staff will now be in D - the correct key to be played on a Bb instrument.

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #2 –
Make sure that the original staff actually has a key signature.
If it doesn't you must add the correct key signature (for flute) even if the key is C - otherwise the transpose will not work correctly.

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #3 –
How do I transpose...I am using the Finale 2004 Demo and under tools there is no transpose? Does anyone have a music program they can send me...or give me a website that I could go to to get a music program where I could enter the music as flute music and then transpose it to clarinet? Please help, and thanks to everyone that has already replied before...
Thanks,
BJ
Ps. This music is for an aduition that I am having in only a few days, the sooner I transpose the sooner I can practice it...

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #4 –
You can always buy Noteworthy Composer software ...

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #5 –
This isn't a Finale forum.  Finale will transpose, but you need to check its help menu for instructions.  Suggest you use NWC, it's much easier to work with.  For NWC, just export the file as a midi file from Finale, and import it to NWC, then use the transpose feature of NWC (see the Tools popdown menu).

However, I have the impression from what you wrote that you're fairly new to clarinet?  If you're ready to audition , you probably are ready to learn how to sight transpose - it's not hard, just takes a little practice and concentration while playing.  It's a good skill to develop, and you won't need any music software at all to do it.

Examples:

If you read a B flat on a flute chart ("concert pitch"), you will play C natural on clarinet (this is why it's called a Bb clarinet).

If you have a B natural on the flute part, play a C sharp on the clarinet.

If you read F sharp, play G sharp.

If you read an E flat, play F natural.

E natural, play F sharp, and so on.

If this is Greek to you, look at a piano keyboard.  Each key is 1/2 tone above the one to its left. Pick out the note on your flute score on the piano keyboard, and move two keys to the right. Don't forget to count the black keys as well as the white ones.
 

Re: Transposing Music And Help With Semitones...

Reply #6 –
PS  Good luck with the audition.