Transposing Technique N.B.N (No Button Needed)

[T-Block]

This is a technique that you can use to transpose songs into other keys. Basically, what you do is take the song and break it down into progression format so that it will be easier to play in other keys. I'll use part of the song "Praise Is What I Do" as an example to show you what I mean:

Key Eb LH/RH

Eb / Bb-Eb-G Praise is what I
G / F-Bb-Eb do, when I
Ab / Eb-Ab-C wanna be
Bb / F-Bb-D close to
C / G-C-Eb You
C / G-C-Eb I
Bb / F-Bb-D lift
Bb / Eb-Ab-C my
Bb / D-G-Bb hands
Bb / C-F-Ab in
Eb / Bb-Eb-G praise.

The first step in breaking down a song into progression format is to put down everything we know about the key that the song is in. In this case, we are in the key of Eb, so let's write down what we know about the key of Eb:

Major scale

Eb F G Ab Bb C D

Scale degrees

Eb=1
F=2
G=3
Ab=4
Bb=5
C=6
D=7

Basic chords

Eb-G-Bb (1 chord)
F-Ab-C (2 chord)
G-Bb-D (3 chord)
Ab-C-Eb (4 chord)
Bb-D-F (5 chord)
C-Eb-G (6 chord)
D-F-Ab (7 chord)

The second step can be done in 2 ways. The first way is to take the song and change every letter to a number using the scale degrees as a key. Since we in the key of Eb, all Eb's become 1, all F's become 2, and so forth:

Eb / Bb-Eb-G = 1 / 5-1-3
G / F-Bb-Eb = 3 / 2-5-1
Ab / Eb-Ab-C = 4 / 1-4-6
Bb / F-Bb-D = 5 / 2-5-7
C / G-C-Eb = 6 / 3-6-1
C / G-C-Eb = 6 / 3-6-1
Bb / F-Bb-D = 5 / 2-5-7
Bb / Eb-Ab-C = 5 / 1-4-6
Bb / D-G-Bb = 5 / 7-3-5
Bb / C-F-Ab = 5 / 6-2-4
Eb / Bb-Eb-G = 1 / 5-1-3

Now, that may be good for some people, but others might say that this process takes to long. Is there a faster way? Yes, there is a faster way. The second way is to take the song and change the LH notes into numbers using the scale degrees as a key and take the RH notes and tell what kind of chord it is using the basic chords as a key:

Eb / Bb-Eb-G = 1 / 1 chord (2nd inversion)
G / F-Bb-Eb = 3 / 1 chord w/add9 (1st inversion)
Ab / Eb-Ab-C = 4 / 4 chord (2nd inversion)
Bb / F-Bb-D = 5 / 5 chord (2nd inversion)
C / G-C-Eb = 6 / 6 chord (2nd inversion)
C / G-C-Eb = 6 / 6 chord (2nd inversion)
Bb / F-Bb-D = 5 / 5 chord (2nd inversion)
Bb / Eb-Ab-C = 5 / 4 chord (2nd inversion)
Bb / D-G-Bb = 5 / 3 chord (2nd inversion)
Bb / C-F-Ab = 5 / 2 chord (2nd inversion)
Eb / Bb-Eb-G = 1 / 1 chord (2nd inversion)

O.K., the third step is to figure out what key we want to play the song in. Once u figure that out, u basically redo step 2 for the new key. Let's pick the key Bb:

Major scale

Bb C D Eb F G A

Scale degrees

Bb=1
C=2
D=3
Eb=4
F=5
G=6
A=7

Basic chords

Bb-D-F (1 chord)
C-Eb-G (2 chord)
D-F-A (3 chord)
Eb-G-Bb (4 chord)
F-A-C (5 chord)
G-Bb-D (6 chord)
A-C-Eb (7 chord)

Now, last step is to take what we did in step 3 and change the numbers back into letters using the members of the new key.

1 / 5-1-3 = Bb / F-Bb-D
3 / 2-5-1 = D / C-F-Bb
4 / 1-4-6 = Eb / Bb-Eb-G
5 / 2-5-7 = F / C-F-A
6 / 3-6-1 = G / D-G-Bb
6 / 3-6-1 = G / D-G-Bb
5 / 2-5-7 = F / C-F-A
5 / 1-4-6 = F / Bb-Eb-G
5 / 7-3-5 = F / A-D-F
5 / 6-2-4 = F / G-C-Eb
1 / 5-1-3 = Bb / F-Bb-D

OR

1 / 1 chord (2nd inversion) = Bb / F-Bb-D
3 / 1 chord w/add9 (1st inversion) = D / C-F-Bb
4 / 4 chord (2nd inversion) = Eb / Bb-Eb-G
5 / 5 chord (2nd inversion) = F / C-F-A
6 / 6 chord (2nd inversion) = G / D-G-Bb
6 / 6 chord (2nd inversion) = G / D-G-Bb
5 / 5 chord (2nd inversion) = F / C-F-A
5 / 4 chord (2nd inversion) = F / Bb-Eb-G
5 / 3 chord (2nd inversion) = F / A-D-F
5 / 2 chord (2nd inversion) = F / G-C-Eb
1 / 1 chord (2nd inversion) = Bb / F-Bb-D

You see that? It is just that simple. You can do this for any and every song you want to. It will difficult and may take some time at first, but after you get used to it, you will go through the process so quickly in your mind that it will seem like second nature to you.

[4hisglory]

T-block, still coming through.

[T-Block]

Yeah, I'm still at it.

[c4quad]

I can use that, but is there an easy way to find what key a song is in? Should I look at the bass notes & see which key has all those notes in it or is there a better (easier) way?  Thanks in advance & for all the other info that has been posted on these boards.  It really helps.

[T-Block]

When I try to figure out what key a song is in, I usually listen for that one note that sticks out.  It's hard to explain cuz unless you have a good ear for music, then u won't catch it as fast.  Another way is to wait until a verse in the song ends.  Usually that last chord contains the key, with the root being in the LH.  Also, following the bass line helps you find the key.  Just look for 3-6-2-5-1, if you can find that then that 1 is usually your key.  I say usually, cuz it may be a minor key.

[c4quad]

Man, that's good stuff.  I really appreciate it.

[c4quad]

I noticed another benifit from this method.  It'll eventually help you play in any key because by writing the notes and degrees down for a certain key & then re-writing in new key you'll learn the scale degrees in the key you're transposing from.  I love this website.  It has truly blessed me.  T-Block, you always drop knowledge.  I appreciate it.

[ai3winner]

Thank you T-Block. I really like the way you approach things and explain them. You are a real help!
Also, I like the fact that you know your"real" theory,the actual chord names, b/c that helps me out more that just writing out notes (believe it or not!)

Thank you!