Transposition

1. Transposition

2. Transposition Rewriting a Song In a Different Key Why Transpose? 1. Accommodate a singer’s range 2. Find a more “guitar friendly” key 3. Return the song to its original key 4. Use a capo for a different sound

3. Transposition Methods “Chords In a key” Method 1. Analyze the Song for chord functions 2. Determine the chords for the new key 3. Remember to keep the qualities and extensions (7, add9, etc.) the same

4. Transposition Methods “Chords In a key” Method Let’s say the song is in the key of C and has this chord progression: C G7 C Am F G7 C

5. Transposition Methods “Chords In a key” Method The chord functions (in Roman numerals) are: C G7 C Am F G7 C I V7 I VI IV V7 I

6. “Chords In a key” Method The chord progression stays constant. Determine the new chords for the key of A: C G7 C Am F G7 C I V7 I VI IV V7 I A E7 A F#m D E7 A Note how the minor chords and 7th chords stayed the same

7. “Chords In a key” Method With this method you can easily transpose the song into several different keys: C: C G7 C Am F G7 C I V7 I VI IV V7 I A: A E7 A F#m D E7 A G: G D7 G Em C D7 G Bb: Bb F7 Bb Gm Eb F7 Bb E: E B7 E C#m A B7 E

8. Transposition Methods “Interval” Method 1. Good for close transpositions: up or down a whole or half step 2. Simply raise or lower the roots of the chords the desired amount 3. Remember to keep the qualities and extensions (7, add9, etc.) the same

9. “Interval” Method Let’s start with a new chord progression in an “unfriendly” guitar key, Eb: Eb Ab Fm7 Cm Gm Bb7 Eb We’ll transpose the progression up a half step to the key of E

10. “Interval” Method Moving the roots up a half step gives us: Eb Ab Fm7 Cm Gm Bb7 Eb E A F#m7 C#m G#m B7 E Notice how the chord qualities and the 7ths stayed the same.

11. “Interval” Method Still too many sharp chords? How about transposing down a half step to D: Eb Ab Fm7 Cm Gm Bb7 Eb D G Em7 Bm F#m A7 D

12. Transposition Methods “Guitar” Method 1. You can use the guitar as a transposition tool. 2. Determine the interval of transposition and describe it in terms of the guitar fretboard.

13. Transposition Methods “Guitar” Method For example, let’s say you are transposing from the key of G to the key of C 1. G is on the 3rd fret of the 6th string 2. C is on the 3rd fret of the 5th string. 3. The interval of transposition will be “up one string.”

14. “Guitar” Method Now let’s look at a chord progression in the key of G: G Em A7 D7 G G7 C Cm Am7 D9 G

15. “Guitar” Method Always use the bass strings (4,5,6) when transposing using the guitar method. Finding the lowest version of each chord root and moving up one string (same fret) gives us (new chords in red) G Em A7 D7 G G7 C Cm C Am D7 G7 C C7 F Fm Am7 D9 G Dm7 G9 C

16. “Guitar” Method Did you notice that some of the chords in the progression don’t follow the chord function rules? G Em A7 D7 G G7 C Cm Am7 D9 G

17. “Guitar” Method Not a II chord because its major a I7 G Em A7 D7 G G7 C Cm Am7 D9 G a minor IV chord

18. “Guitar” Method With the guitar method it doesn’t matter. Just remember to follow two simple rules: 1. Transpose the roots using the bass strings 2. Keep the chord qualities and extensions the same G Em A7 D7 G G7 C Cm Am7 D9 G C Am D7 G7 C C7 F Fm Dm7 G9 C

19. Transposition Methods Review: 1. Chords in a Key Method: Analyze the song for chord functions 2. Interval Method: Use for close transpostions; transpose the roots up or down a whole or half step 3. Guitar Method: Transpose the roots using the guitar fretboard

20. Transposition