UMT Blog

Transposition Example #1

Here is a Transposition Question with the “answer” below. What mark would you give this (out of /5)?
1. a) Name the key of the following melody.
b) Transpose the given melody down a Major 6. Use the correct Key Signature. Name the key of the new melody.

Key: B flat Major
The student answers with:

Key: D flat Major

So, what mark did you give this answer? The student would have received 1 mark for correctly naming the key of the given melody. The student would have received 1 mark for correctly naming the key of the new melody. The student would have received no marks for the melody itself.

Why? Simply because the 5th flat of the Key Signature was written incorrectly as F flat.

Transposition Mistake #1 – Incorrect Placement of Flats or Sharps in the Key Signature
When a Key Signature is not written with all the flats or sharps placed on the correct lines or spaces, it changes how the music is played. When the “sound” of the music is affected, the entire melody is marked as being incorrect.

If the Key Signature is incorrect, or if any part of the Key Signature is incorrect, the entire melody is marked as being incorrect. There are no part marks given for having all the correct notes, rhythms, dynamics, etc.

Transposition Example #2

Let’s look at this answer for our given melody being transposed down a Major 6th. What mark will you give this?

In this example, the student has written 5 flats, however the flats have been placed as if they are in the Treble Staff. The melody is in the Bass Staff.

Transposition Mistake #2 – Key Signature Placement in the Incorrect Staff
The correct Key Signature placement must be used for the given Clef Sign. Again, if the Key Signature is incorrect, or if any part of the Key Signature is incorrect, the entire melody is marked as being incorrect.

Transposition Example #3

What mark will you give this answer? Remember, the instructions are to transpose the given melody down a Major 6.

That’s right – another “zero” for the transposition. Why? Because D flat Major has 5 flats, not 4!

Transposition Mistake #3 – Incorrect Key Signature is Used
The correct Key Signature must be used. Again, if the Key Signature is incorrect, or if any part of the Key Signature is incorrect, the entire melody is marked as being incorrect.

So, what is the correct answer?

Finally, the correct answer!

To receive full marks for the transposition of the given melody down a Major 6, the student must always write the correct Key Signature correctly! *grin*

When preparing for a nationally recognized theory exam like the Royal Conservatory of Music Theory Examinations or the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Theory Examinations, students should complete all the Ultimate Music Theory Exam Series Practice Exams – there are 4 Practice Exams in Set #1 and 4 Practice Exams in Set #2.

Watch the VIDEO - Ultimate Music Theory Exam Series is the only Exam Series with Answer Books.

Yes, we know that you know all the answers. But isn’t it nice to not have to think all the time – to just mark and make corrections?

I know that even though I wrote the Series, I always use my Answer Books to mark my student’s Exams.

PS – Join the Conversation! I love using my Ultimate Music Theory Workbooks for Ear Training and Sight Reading. Does anyone else have their students play their Transposition exercises to strengthen Sight Reading skills?