How can I transpose a score?

When you select a piece, Metronaut will enter the music score where you can choose from different versions if available and also personalize the music sheet to your needs.

The music score you see is chosen based on your selected instrument and level.

You can further adapt the piece by tapping on the settings button (see Screenshot below) and changing any Transposition Parameters (Interval, Octave, Tunning Reference, Transposing Instrument) or Display Parameters (Clef, Cursor Type, etc.). Your choice of parameters will be remembered each time you want to practice the piece.

Note: When using a transposing instrument (for example Saxophone Alto in Eb) on a piece in a different key (for example in C), Metronaut will actually transpose the Accompaniment Audio and leaving the music score visually intact but in your preferred key.

What is the use of a transposition ?

Whether you are a beginner, an average learner or you have some experiences in musical instruments, it is good to know why a musical transposition is sometimes required. Indeed, from time to time, transpositions are more than needed in order to play the music sheet on different instruments or to create original sound. As such, you should know that it is possible to transpose a major key into another major key. Asking yourself if you can do the same thing with minor keys ? The answer is yes. Taking into consideration the physical features of some instruments, it is preferable to transpose and read the music sheet in another key rather than reading the notes and keys in a concert pitch.

Moreover, some musicians change the key of a piece of music to be able to play the notes in a simple way. Beginners can do this as well till they master the music sheet on which they are working. Others transpose musical keys in order to sing more comfortably.

Why is it so important to understand the Circle of Fifths ?

Wondering what the Circle of Fifths is ? As you know, we have twelve musical keys. The Circle of Fifths is a useful concept in music theory for transposition, for acquainting yourself with the overall structure of music as well as for notation. If you are a beginner and you are aspiring to become a good musical player or even a singer, we advise you to consider and to understand the Circle of Fifths. At first glance, it might be overwhelming, yet you will see with time how easy it is.

Why is the Circle of Fifths so useful in music ? Simply because it will help you to memorize the musical notes that make up each key, or even to remember the group of similar keys sharing the same musical notes. In other words, this diagram helps beginners and advanced players to have a better understanding of corresponding key signatures and the relationship between major and minor keys. When you look at the circle, you will see :

• Key signatures outlined on the outer section.
• Corresponding major keys are shown by the capital letters.
• Corresponding minor keys are represented by the lowercase letters.

Some guidelines to get better with transposition

Open your digital music sheet on Metronaut app and have a close look at the key signatures and try to analyze how each key is related to each other. While doing so, don't forget to have the Circle of Fifths in front of your eyes ! It will be easier to make the link. Use the diagram to find out how many steps a key can move and how many steps according to the musical instrument.

In the above paragraph, we explained how to transpose your digital music sheet on our wonderful app. Try to move the musical notes step by step following the key, don't rush yourself, especially if you are a beginner. Take your time ! Move each musical note at the same interval. If ever you feel stuck, again, refer yourself to the transposition chart (the Circle of Fifths). Also, bear in mind that accidentals should also be transposed by the same interval.

Last but not least, to make your transposition simpler, fill in your new key signature, put in writing each musical note considering the interval between the initial notes and the transposed ones and fill in your signature time.