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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
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OP
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Posts: 888 |
I know a kid in the neighbourhood who plays Alto Sax. I have a tune written in the key of E. If I print it out for him and use the opt under Notation I can select to transpose for Alto Sax, which shows +9 and moves the key to Db.
Am I correct in my understanding that giving him the music printed for Db will give him correct notes to play against a backing track in the key of E? If so why. Why does he not just play the charts for the key of E?
PM
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Hi PM,
The alto sax is a Eb instrument - this means the C key on the alto sax is the equivalent pitch of a Eb on a piano - so your Db alto sax key is the same as an E of your backing key
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi PapaMikie,
The alto sax is in Eb. This means that when the alto sax player reads and plays the C major scale, s/he thinks of it as "C major" but the pitch we hear is Eb. Applying this principle (and not worrying about octaves) gives the rule that the pitch that the sax player reads is a minor third lower than the pitch we hear. So, if the song is written in E, a minor third lower is C# (enharmonically the same as Db) and this means that the sax player would need to play in C# or Db to be in tune with the backing in E.
To make it easier for the young guy, I encourage you to transpose your song to Eb rather than E because then your printout would be in C. Transposing is very easy in BIAB and I'm sure the young guy would find it much easier to read music in C than in Db (or C#).
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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At the Ottawa Valley, their favorite keys are A and E. It's a fiddle thing. Same thing on yer east coasts. My father in law's band really only plays in those keys, probably because my wife's uncle calls the dances and it suits his range (not). It's the 2 fiddle players!
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Oh, and +9 or -3 is the same thing, just gives you lower notes to play.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I always think of the alto as a major 6th above concert pitch (same as down a minor 3rd) because it is easier for my brain to transpose. The 6th is the relative minor, and that is an important association. Plus when I think of chord structures, I generally think up rather than down. So in the key of C I would play the Major 6 arpeggio as C-E-G-A and A is the relative minor or the alto sax pitch. (Note: that arpeggio is the "meat" of the bass line to zillions of songs)
BTW, The Tenor (a Bb instrument) is a whole step above concert pitch.
I played tenor and alto in guitar bands most of my life. Guitar players like E and A concert, so I learned to play the sax in the keys with lots of sharps in them.
As a result, I actually prefer to play in keys like E and A to what are supposed to be easier keys like Bb and Eb.
It's all a matter of what you get used to. F# is not any more difficult for the fingers than any other key. IMHO the sharp keys are actually easier to play than the flat ones. I don't know if it is what I'm used to or not, but the hands actually seem to be more comfortable in those keys. The transition from B to C# is much more fluid than B to C on the sax and the Bb is always a bit of an awkward note to play in fast runs (which is why there are alternate not-quite-in-tune fingerings for that note).
I encourage all sax players to learn to play in E and A concert because there is so much music that is played in those keys.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Noel
To make it easier for the young guy, I encourage you to transpose your song to Eb rather than E because then your printout would be in C. Transposing is very easy in BIAB and I'm sure the young guy would find it much easier to read music in C than in Db (or C#).
I will transpose the original down to Eb and then make the adjustment to C for the Alto Sax. Thank you for the suggestion. Very helpful and very senseable.
PM
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Hi,
A BIG +1 to everything Bob Norton wrote. And transposing any tune away from the original key because it may be easier is only delaying the improvement of any musician. It only takes a little more study and work, and in the end your student will gain the ability to play a tune in any key. Also, this does wonders for your sight reading, another very important skill..............
Hope this helps, it helped me,
Ed
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
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Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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