I’ll never forget my first gig when I was 14 years old and brought my piano music and had my friend play alto sax standing behind me looking over my shoulder. Need I say more? They first of many deep learning experiences
Thank you so much for the video. It's very much useful and was searching a video with clear explanation and finally got it. Appreciate for your valuable lesson.
You should consider doing a video on why instruments are notated differently. As some one with only cursory knowledge of theory, it seems like a bit of a mystery to me that the same tones, pitches are named differently on different instruments. Like, why can't we just all read traditional bass and treble clef without the transposition? Wouldn't that be much easier, or am I just missing something here?
It's because of instrument families. The Bb trumpet for example is not the only trumpet out there - C trumpet is actually probably more commonly used in the orchestra. D and Eb trumpets also exist, same with F trumpet, though that's not very common. Now, regardless of which of these trumpets you use, they all have the same fingerings for the same written notes. For example the written C on all of these different trumpets is played with all valves open. This way you don't need to learn different fingerings for different instruments from the same family. Now, there are exceptions to this, for example tuba is usually notated in C, even though F, C, Bb and Eb tubas are all commonly used. So, tuba players need to learn different fingerings for different instruments. But clarinets, trumpets and saxophones come in different tunings, and they are all notated so that the same fingering = the same written note.
+MaggaraMarine cool. Guess that makes sense. So, basically, for those instruments, sheet music is more like guitar tabs I guess. I.e. instructions for fingerings, rather than reading the correct pitches.
Well, not exactly. For example on trumpet you can play many notes on the same fingering. The notation for transposing instruments probably originates from older instruments that could not play the whole chromatic scale, i.e., they could only play in one key (and you would need different instruments for different keys). Old trumpets for example were only able to play the notes in the harmonic series of one fundamental pitch, and you could change the key the trumpet was in by changing the length of the tubing. I don't approach trumpet notation as tabs (I play both trumpet and guitar). I approach it more as a guitar that's tuned down a whole step. If I down-tune the guitar, my 0 2 2 1 0 0 chord is still the "open E chord" in my mind - I really don't change the note names on the fretboard if I change the tuning. Well, if this is what you meant by saying "it's like tabs", then yes.
@@MaggaraMarine Okay. I guess the whole tuning down, or using a capo in terms of fingerings makes more sense, and is a better way of looking at it. Like, you some times see people write out chords, and then put in the description, capo second fret. Etc., etc. I guess that comparison makes more sense.
As a tubist in America, this is what I think about all the time. We very rarely if ever get transposed parts written for us. We are always reading concert key in bass clef. But I change the key of my instrument all the time. So I see the note as the same but I'm just playing a different fingering.
Great video! I play the saxes so luckily I've already had to experience this but it's a good way to think of it. P.s. Is your "U" in "F.U.D." supposed to be uncertainty? There might be a spelling mistake :-)
For 2 main reasons : - You want your ambitus to be equally distributed on the staff. You Don't want it too low or too high because it's too hard to sight read. - Most of the transposition instruments comes in various tone. Saxophone are either Eb, Bb and even C or F. Trumpet mostly Bb,C, Eb, A but also D G etc. This is by no mean a way of making things difficult. But each of these instruments have their own voice and doesn't respond/sound the same. Just open a composition/arrangement book and look at the sound's description of each horn in every register. A saxophonist playing Alto and Ténor learn that when he press no key it's a C# whatever the instrument. But it refers to E on alto and B on tenor concert. It's much more convenient than having to think that on tenor no finger equals B but on alto it's an E. I do play the whole saxophone family and i also play many trumpets. But i have only had to learn 2 instruments : saxophones and trumpets.
It depends who you are : If you write music you want a concert score so you can read the harmony quickly. Nowadays you can transpose with one click. But back in the days there used to be copist ! If you are a conductor you want a transposed score because you want to know how each part feel for every instruments . Just by the position on the staff you will know if the instrument is playing at the top range and because you know that trumpet explode in high range you will know how it will sound . Whereas if it was a bassoon you would know it's quite unstable. This kind of information is essential for conducting. You don't really need to dig into reading note name when conducting !
the question that I have and I don't seem to find someone talking about is to what key should i transpose a song to be more practical for an alto to play it? because some songs are almost impossible to play on there original key or they would sound weird, too low or too high or very difficult with the way the notes are laid out on the alto sax
@@gavinmann4152 I was about to reply that the sound IS actually of a trumpet, which is what the gentleman above was getting at. I however had the suspicion that some foul play was at hand; you were feigning ignorance, intending to then have a chuckle when someone would be so naive as to take you seriously. I believe "Baiting" is the broadly accepted internet parlance for such behaviour. Such a situation is commonplace enough to justify the question; just what sort of web are you spinning, Mr. Mann?
Note. The tenor sax sounds an octave lower than written!
A trick : you can watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies lately.
@Timothy Ari definitely, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself =)
@Timothy Ari Definitely, I've been using flixzone for years myself :D
F..k. lol
I’ll never forget my first gig when I was 14 years old and brought my piano music and had my friend play alto sax standing behind me looking over my shoulder. Need I say more? They first of many deep learning experiences
How is this video so underrated? You explained it so well!
I’m a strings player and vocalist studying for her music praxis… This helps me understand band instrument transpositions a lot better! Thanks!
This helped so much as i am a visual learner and have no trasposing experience since i am a percussionist.
This is so cool. That 'visualisation' will stay with me for the next 35 years...at least !
Thank you so much for the video. It's very much useful and was searching a video with clear explanation and finally got it. Appreciate for your valuable lesson.
Thanks, this is great for a piano, alto sax, and tenor sax player!
This was incredibly helpful thank you!
The note in the beginning is concert C, thanks!!
Weird - I came up with almost the same analogy years ago. Nicelt done!
i watched this once when i got an alto sax a while ago but i just got a tenor so needed this video again
Other videos on playing b flat instruments don't explain this, which leads to confusion - thank you!
Thank you so much. It's so easy to remember
This is well explained...wonderful!
Clear as mud!!!!! What musical score is written for each type of instrument?
Simple yet clear WOW love this.... You can help me....
Great video
Is it the same way to identify a tuba or euphonium, or trombone? Like if it's a Bb tuba ect
iirc euphonium trombone and tuba in Bb or BBb respectivly are non transposing instruments
You should consider doing a video on why instruments are notated differently.
As some one with only cursory knowledge of theory, it seems like a bit of a mystery to me that the same tones, pitches are named differently on different instruments.
Like, why can't we just all read traditional bass and treble clef without the transposition? Wouldn't that be much easier, or am I just missing something here?
It's because of instrument families. The Bb trumpet for example is not the only trumpet out there - C trumpet is actually probably more commonly used in the orchestra. D and Eb trumpets also exist, same with F trumpet, though that's not very common. Now, regardless of which of these trumpets you use, they all have the same fingerings for the same written notes. For example the written C on all of these different trumpets is played with all valves open. This way you don't need to learn different fingerings for different instruments from the same family.
Now, there are exceptions to this, for example tuba is usually notated in C, even though F, C, Bb and Eb tubas are all commonly used. So, tuba players need to learn different fingerings for different instruments. But clarinets, trumpets and saxophones come in different tunings, and they are all notated so that the same fingering = the same written note.
+MaggaraMarine cool. Guess that makes sense. So, basically, for those instruments, sheet music is more like guitar tabs I guess. I.e. instructions for fingerings, rather than reading the correct pitches.
Well, not exactly. For example on trumpet you can play many notes on the same fingering. The notation for transposing instruments probably originates from older instruments that could not play the whole chromatic scale, i.e., they could only play in one key (and you would need different instruments for different keys). Old trumpets for example were only able to play the notes in the harmonic series of one fundamental pitch, and you could change the key the trumpet was in by changing the length of the tubing.
I don't approach trumpet notation as tabs (I play both trumpet and guitar). I approach it more as a guitar that's tuned down a whole step. If I down-tune the guitar, my 0 2 2 1 0 0 chord is still the "open E chord" in my mind - I really don't change the note names on the fretboard if I change the tuning. Well, if this is what you meant by saying "it's like tabs", then yes.
@@MaggaraMarine Okay. I guess the whole tuning down, or using a capo in terms of fingerings makes more sense, and is a better way of looking at it. Like, you some times see people write out chords, and then put in the description, capo second fret. Etc., etc. I guess that comparison makes more sense.
As a tubist in America, this is what I think about all the time. We very rarely if ever get transposed parts written for us. We are always reading concert key in bass clef. But I change the key of my instrument all the time. So I see the note as the same but I'm just playing a different fingering.
Where is part 2?🤔
Wonderful thank you, so clear
Great video! I play the saxes so luckily I've already had to experience this but it's a good way to think of it.
P.s. Is your "U" in "F.U.D." supposed to be uncertainty? There might be a spelling mistake :-)
Hello,
Please, can you tell me the music used for the clarinet presentation?!?!?!?!?!?! I search it for very long time!
awesome video very understandable.
Thank you this hack is super helpful!
Que buen video gracias! Podria explicar lo de la testitura de los instrumentos? 😊
What happens with Horn tranposition? Could You explaind that?
great! next video!
@@JazzDuets Thank You
very useful ! thank you.
Say none of the transposition instruments double, why don't they learn the pitches in concert key instead of having to write for them transposed?
For 2 main reasons :
- You want your ambitus to be equally distributed on the staff. You Don't want it too low or too high because it's too hard to sight read.
- Most of the transposition instruments comes in various tone. Saxophone are either Eb, Bb and even C or F. Trumpet mostly Bb,C, Eb, A but also D G etc. This is by no mean a way of making things difficult. But each of these instruments have their own voice and doesn't respond/sound the same. Just open a composition/arrangement book and look at the sound's description of each horn in every register.
A saxophonist playing Alto and Ténor learn that when he press no key it's a C# whatever the instrument. But it refers to E on alto and B on tenor concert. It's much more convenient than having to think that on tenor no finger equals B but on alto it's an E.
I do play the whole saxophone family and i also play many trumpets. But i have only had to learn 2 instruments : saxophones and trumpets.
@@PtiDopSax Ok thank you for explaining however reading a transposed score definitely can give someone migraines :)
It depends who you are :
If you write music you want a concert score so you can read the harmony quickly. Nowadays you can transpose with one click. But back in the days there used to be copist !
If you are a conductor you want a transposed score because you want to know how each part feel for every instruments . Just by the position on the staff you will know if the instrument is playing at the top range and because you know that trumpet explode in high range you will know how it will sound . Whereas if it was a bassoon you would know it's quite unstable. This kind of information is essential for conducting. You don't really need to dig into reading note name when conducting !
*THANKS FOR THIS VÍDEO!*
the question that I have and I don't seem to find someone talking about is to what key should i transpose a song to be more practical for an alto to play it? because some songs are almost impossible to play on there original key or they would sound weird, too low or too high or very difficult with the way the notes are laid out on the alto sax
so the player of a trumpet needs to transpose every single note on the fly while playing, or does he have an already transposed sheet?
Transposing instruments can be somewhat annoying when reading a score but you get used to it
I will never get used to it specially if the harmony is complex. But hey, that's me.
Great video!
Usted si sabe bastante!. Saludos!.
0:37 'and on the floor above, lives a trumpet.' *cue sax noise*
that aint funny
@@sam-by6sq what isnt
@@gavinmann4152 Was I about to get baited?
@@Foulfootwear wdym?
@@gavinmann4152 I was about to reply that the sound IS actually of a trumpet, which is what the gentleman above was getting at. I however had the suspicion that some foul play was at hand; you were feigning ignorance, intending to then have a chuckle when someone would be so naive as to take you seriously. I believe "Baiting" is the broadly accepted internet parlance for such behaviour. Such a situation is commonplace enough to justify the question; just what sort of web are you spinning, Mr. Mann?
Whether or not you ever need to transpose for the non-C instruments, this is a very good exercise!
ty im writing a piece for flute clarinet and string quartet
Question though: The key is B minor so two sharps. Would the clarinet’s sheet music have four sharps?
@@asloii_1749 Yes
So if my . piano music is written in F and i want to play it on my tronbone . I play in G?
Awesome
Do you have one for C to D?
Porque no ha publicado vídeos en español?, su español es perfecto!.
great hack!
Great
But why not just call the notes what they actually are? If you want relative note names, why not just use 1-8 or solfa?
They would not on the staff you see, some instruments would have to read lots of ledger lines
@@JazzDuets ah yes, good point.
Nice!
Piano is at concert pitch. It is not a transposed instrument. Trumpet is a transposed instrument. What the piano played was a concert c not a b flat.
dude that was a C not a Bb...
I’m still lost. 👀🤔
Check my video on how I learnt all major scales in the Eb sax in 10 days.
scam u nub
First :)
poor explanation and analogy
Great video!