Transposition (music)

See also: Transposition

Of Music, to transpose a piece consists in changing it the Tonalité without changing it perception by the listener - except the absolute height of the sounds.

So that this goal is reached exactly, the relative values of the interval S must be preserved, which in a universal way only the range allows the equal temperament.

In the other types of ranges, the Tempérament S developped at the point by the theorists made it possible to approach some but only for certain tonalities departure and arrival.

There exist instruments known as “transposing instruments” which make it possible to emit a sound different from that which is played by the executant. On some instruments with keyboard - Harpsichord and Harmonium inter alia -, the side displacement of the keyboard makes it possible to modify the height of the sounds emitted without having with réaccorder the instrument. In Guitar, one uses more simply the Capodastre for this purpose.

Methods of transposition

The circumstances being able to lead a Musician to transpose, that it is with stolen the or by rewriting the partition, are varied. One of most current is the accompaniment of a Chanteur whose Tessiture is unsuited to the original Tonalité: for example, a Pianiste accompanying a Mezzo-soprano will be able to drop by a your the tonality of a air writes for Soprano. Musicians playing of an instrument transposing instrument (clarinet, horn, trumpet…) can be caused to also this practice, when they must play a part which was not written originally for their instrument. For example, a rather frequent case is that of part of clarinet in which must be played on a clarinet in B flat, when the clarinettist has only this instrument at his disposal.

If one puts side the transposition by rewriting of the partition, the experienced musician can use two very different processes, possibly combined between them: the spontaneous transposition and the transposition at sight .

Spontaneous transposition

The spontaneous transposition - still said transposition of ear - is founded on the memorizing of the piece to transpose, and the use of instrumental reflexes - digital in particular -, the such different daily played ranges, which enter automatically concerned. Its practice is particularly encouraged in certain educational methods, like the method Martenot , as a preparation with the musical Improvisation. Martenot in particular advises to start with simple melodies, then to increase the difficulty gradually, until being able to transpose of the polyphonic parts (for example, for the keyboard, initially the inventions with 2 votes of Bach, then, of the same type-setter, the chorals with 4 parts, etc) It also insists on the need for by heart making these exercises only on beforehand known pieces and easily controlled, as much mentally than digitalement, without what one could not speak about spontaneous transposition. The goal of this drive is to create digital reflexes of total connection with the " thought musicale" (the interior ear), necessary to any musician.

Same manner, the training of the techniques of the Jazz also comprises very often exercises consisting in transposing, in all tons them, of the " modes" (i.e., here, of the standard ranges being used as tank for the melody improvisation) or of the sequences of agreements, even of the sequences or the solos of a famous jazzman.

Transposition at sight

The transposition at sight strictly speaking consists in transposing at the same time as one deciphers the partition. It is about a rather difficult act requiring a particular drive, more cerebral than the drive with the spontaneous transposition. Several methods are possible, but the most recognized, in particular in France and Belgium by the official teaching of the Solfège, by the key S is the “transposition”. It consists in imaginairement replacing the key used on the partition - treble clef, for example - by another key which gives the note corresponding to the transposition. In parallel, it is necessary to change imaginairement the armor and in certain cases, the accidental weatherings - Dièse S, Bémol S, etc - punctually indicated on the partition. mathematical logic of order:

The control of this technique is particularly necessary to read the partitions of orchestra including/understanding of the instruments transposing instruments.

In practice, it is however rare that a musician transposes completely at sight. Often this act to him is suggested only in the case of rather simple pieces, using a musical style which is familiar for him - what amounts having partially recourse to the process of the spontaneous transposition. Thus, to return the pianist guide following the example of, if this one must transpose, with the partition, a melody which it already accompanied one or more time but that it by heart does not know , he will carry out actually a combination of the two processes.

Electronic transposition

One can transpose of the sounds recorded by playing them to the idle or in accelerated, but that changes the stamp voice like instruments, as well as the speed which the piece is played. However, the current techniques of Treatment of the signal allow a transposition without change of stamp nor speed, even on a simple domestic PC provided that it is equipped with a chart its and adequate software. This device is very much used in the studios of recording to make it possible a Chanteur to be accompanied with the Quinte, for example.

See too

  • the transposition of the agreements of guitar

Internal bonds

Simple: Transposition (music)

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