Transposing on Sight
Hi All!
Recently a student of mine asked me if he should buy the “Real Book” transposed in Eb already (since he plays alto sax). Not only did I advise him to not solely rely on the “Real Book” for correct transcriptions of the tunes (many are out-right wrong), but he shouldn’t buy it in Eb.
Here’s why;
It is really an invaluable skill to be able to transpose music by sight. There are too many situations that can happen where you’ll have to play a standard tune in a non-standard key. This usually happens on gigs with singers. They have to sing in keys that they are able to and it’s usually not the standard key.
What also happens is that you come to a gig or a studio session and there’s no horn part for you. It may be that only a leadsheet in the concert key is available. Or you may be an alto saxophonist and there’s only a trumpet or clarinet part available. I’ve subbed on big band gigs where suddenly there was a section where I’d have to switch to flute or clarinet and I may not have had those instruments with me.
There are so many situations that I can’t even name right now, but you get the idea. If you can get this skill together you can set yourself apart from other musicians.
How do you learn this skill?
My suggestions:
Practice intervals and scales. For instance, if you play alto sax, you’d have to play a major sixth above (or minor third below) the concert (C) part. Start out practicing these intervals. Afterwards, take any easy pieces of music or exercises in C Major and attempt to play the piece in A Major. Think about the steps of the scales as well.
Get a book of exercises or simple melodies to use just for practicing transposition.
Good luck and have fun!
