Pitch

Question 1

Transposing

What does transposing mean? What is a transposing instrument?

Flute, double bass

Answer 1

Transposing is moving notes up or down by intervals such as major 2nd or perfect 5th’s.

It’s used in instruments where the notes they play don’t fit into the clefs.

Question 2

What is F# transposed up by a perfect 5th? How would you calculate it?

Answer 2

C#
Figure out how many steps you should transpose the note up by by transposing up from C by a perfect 5th (C to G). This is 7 steps up.

Then, you may move F# up by 7 steps to C#.

Question 3

What is G♭ transposed down by a major 2nd? How would you calculate it?

Answer 3

E♭
Figure out how many steps you should transpose the note down by transposing up or down from C by a major 2nd (C to D or C to B♭). This is 2 steps up/down.

Then, you may move G♭ down by 2 steps to E♭.

Question 4

What is D transposed up by a minor 3rd?

Answer 4

F

Question 5

What is A# transposed down by a perfect 5th?

Answer 5

D# or E flat

Question 6

What is E♭ transposed up by a major 2nd?

Answer 6

F

Question 7

What is B# transposed up by a perfect 5th?

Answer 7

F## or G