Professional Transposers.....

[Wolfram]

If you played keys or organ, NO I would not hire you. I would not allow the house to suffer in my absence.  I had an organist audtition for me this past Sunday that could only play in C. We have the original B3 with tubes in it, and a starter. 
I sometimes shed with a Jazz Fake Book and more recently a Hymn book. I had to cut back on the Hanon excercises because I got addicted to them and almost tore my hands up.  I dont transpose, I never have. Im from the school of hard knocks where there was no Praise Team or rehearsals, just Devotional service. And you had to know your keys, if somebody started singing "What a Mighty God" in A.

I never asked to be shown something because I couldnt read. For 5 years I was at a church with a full band, horns and flutes and I was the only one that couldnt read music. The MD would look at me and say dont worry you'll get this.  A lot of times they looked to me for help because gospel sheet music dont show you everything and its not always accurate.   At first it was a compliment because my ear was that good.  But watching them during musician rehearsals walking back and forth with their highlighters, shiny sharpened #2 pencils tucked behind their ears, making notes on their sheet music, talking their "little conceited sheet music talk" all over my head  LOL made me feel left out......... and unprofessional.    So I learned to read .....................................th en they started hating.

And in the spirit of what you posted...  This is what I am doing.  Once my gospel chops catch up to my Jazz chops... I will not need the transpose function ever and I will be much hppier.  Until then, a brother will do what he must as he learns.

Wolf

[johnjohndamusiqboi]

Um I think its ok to use transpose i mean when i first started playin i wasnt using transpose back then i didnt know what transpose was and then all of a sudden the person i know was telling me how to transpose and showin me how to and i started to get hooked on it and i was been using it i mean i have learned all my major chords in one key dont get me wrong i can play some songs without transpose and i am trying to get out of it but sence i been using it for a long time its kinda hard geting out of it

[uriahsmusic]

....I can play in Ab.....so when the organist doesnt show...I can hop on and blow it up!....but outside of that I need the transpose button. I am not trying to play in every key!....I can just play really well in one key and transpose to the rest.

[Rjthakid]

....I can play in Ab.....so when the organist doesnt show...I can hop on and blow it up!....but outside of that I need the transpose button. I am not trying to play in every key!....I can just play really well in one key and transpose to the rest.

 

[roz860]

Clearly this cat is a guitar player. If he smokes that guitar leave him alone. Most cats that claim to "Play" really only have a few licks that they picked up any way and we be all over their jock. When ever i get on drums i play the same beat regardless. The song could be in 3/4 or 9/8, im playing in 4. I dont call myself a drummer and I never will. If he doesn't call himself a key player then let him be.

I wouldn't even joke with people like that. Especially if i don't know them.

and for the record...

Transposing is not ok unless you are looking for a specific effect.
I was playing on an XB-3 and transposed and it added to the song. The song was in Bb. we were playing and i switched to F and transposed up using the same voicings. It sounded great. it was pretty cool. the pedals sounded more hum like which was the type of bass line we were looking for whiched pushed the song. I'm not opposed that way, but any other reason is just ludacriss!!!!!!!

[calandra]

I'm new to talking on LGM, but every time I log on people are always downing others for transposing.  Everyone has different experiences in developing into a musician.  My father is a pastor and I am his assistant.  When my father decided to start his church we had no one around to play, so my brother had to learn the keyboard on his own.  There was no LGM or anything around then.  My brother and I played not to please anyone but God.  His transposing never bothered God.  The services were and still are bless and anointed.  Like someone said earlier Transposing is a tool.  If there was something wrong with it then why were they made in keyboard, and now organs.  I never heard anyone complain about a drummer with a double pedal.  So I cannot see transposing as cheating.  But cheating is when any musician is playing for any other reason then to bless God.  Now in saying that there is alot of cheating going on in the world of church music.  Lets stop judging others less we be judged ourselves.  Thankyou to everybody that makes LGM what it is because I was able to direct this young guy at my church whose father was one of the best organist I have ever heard ( Porkchop) to LGM and it has really blessed him in his playing so thank you to all of you. May God continue to improve and anoint all of us. 

[T-Block]

Like someone said earlier Transposing is a tool.  If there was something wrong with it then why were they made in keyboard, and now organs.  I never heard anyone complain about a drummer with a double pedal.  So I cannot see transposing as cheating. 

Remember man, not everything man-made is good.  I seriously doubt that the person who put transposing on keyboards meant it the way a lot of people use it now.  Transposing is cheating man. It may be acceptable, it may be used to keep the service going, etc. but it is still cheating.  That is an undeniable FACT. 

Also, I do have a problem with a drummer using a double pedal only if they can't double on a single pedal.  To me, the act of using a double pedal is good because it is strengthening both feet.  Therefore, a drummer is able to use all body parts to play drums, LOL.

[themidiroom]

Remember man, not everything man-made is good.  I seriously doubt that the person who put transposing on keyboards meant it the way a lot of people use it now.  Transposing is cheating man. It may be acceptable, it may be used to keep the service going, etc. but it is still cheating.  That is an undeniable FACT. 

Also, I do have a problem with a drummer using a double pedal only if they can't double on a single pedal.  To me, the act of using a double pedal is good because it is strengthening both feet.  Therefore, a drummer is able to use all body parts to play drums, LOL.

[rayjohnson83]

me personally I dont care if another musician uses the "HELP HELP" button (transpose button). I dont transpose. and I dont knock anyone that do transpose. And I dont think God cares if someone is transposing the keyboard to give him the GLORY either. As long as the musician is trying to Please and Praise God. It shouldnt matter. Ive seen some big time people use the "HELP HELP" button (transpose button).

Thats just my opinion

[organman88]

this subject never gets old 

[rayjohnson83]

this subject never gets old 

i know right

[musicmajordjs]

Well atmy church I have an XB-3M and like I say it has a transposer on it. The button only should be used if you really need it. I believe this "If you are playing for someone and they start off in a key that you arent comfortable in dont make yourself look like a fool come on now but after the gig you better go practice in the key.   -Amen  Music Major DJS

[bhflow07]

I personally think transpose can help u get better at times,say u know a song in eb,but u can't really play it in d or e I would transpose from those keys and play it in e or d but the song would be in Eb...isn't this actually good...nebody with me?

[musicmajordjs]

No I'm Sorry thats not good it maes you lazy.....but if thats you thats you im not encouraging or discouraging

[T-Block]

I personally think transpose can help u get better at times,say u know a song in eb,but u can't really play it in d or e I would transpose from those keys and play it in e or d but the song would be in Eb...isn't this actually good...nebody with me?

Man, we just had a long, heated discussion on this very topic here:  http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,57248.0.html

[diverse379]

I remember when this post started a long long time ago

at my church I have a grand piano  (no transpose button)

I have a hammond organ

and a pipe organ



I still play in A major that well

and I cant really lace it in E and D yet either

but little by little my ability to play in all keys has been improving

of course there are things you can do like modulate to a comfortable key when a singer pulls you in a difficult key

but the thing I have found works the best for me

is to create a basic style

a basic style is a basic one four five flow

most songs use these chords and if you can create a basic pattern for these three chords

then when ever you are pulled into a key that is unfamiliar go to this key and you should be fine

learn how to pllay a song with just these three chords no passing chords no crazy runs
no difficult bass lines

make up for the simplicity by making the groove really funky

use simple triads but add the nine to the one and four

and maybe make the five a sus or a dominant nine chord

groove hard and learn how to play this type of thing in every key


for example I learned the first three chapters in the kurt cowling gospel piano book

and  now  when I have to play in other keys I am able to do something in those keys

and survive

there is so much to learn in this gospel music thing

if you are writing songs or playing every week

then one way to help you transpose is purposely purpose in your heart to modulate your songs that you do with your choirs

if you modulate at least once every song you do every hymn

you will begin to really get comfortable in every key

today I did take my life and when the song modulated to A
it took a little while to get it together but it was good I did

now I have a nice worship fflow in A

[themidiroom]

No I'm Sorry thats not good it maes you lazy.....but if thats you thats you im not encouraging or discouraging

Kinda of like using spellcheckers makes you a lazy speller.

[Rjthakid]

I'm glad the thread I started so long ago has gotten so much feedback.

Again, I play an old A-100 and thank GOD there's no transpose.


Simply put, who's a BETTER MUSICIAN:

One who's able to learn a song and immediately play it in every key because he understands and hears intervals?

Or one who learns a song in the original key and MUST use transpose?


Of course the first guy is better.  So if you're the second guy right now, that doesn't mean you're not good.  It doesn't mean you're lazy...unless you don't WANT to be the first guy.

Don't justify using the Transpose, because there are people who have been playing for 10+ years and STILL transpose.

Just work until you don't HAVE to use the transpose.

Doesn't that make sense?

[T-Block]

but the thing I have found works the best for me

is to create a basic style

I likes that idea.  Creating a basic style in every key is so much better than transposing.

I'm glad the thread I started so long ago has gotten so much feedback.

Again, I play an old A-100 and thank GOD there's no transpose.


Simply put, who's a BETTER MUSICIAN:

One who's able to learn a song and immediately play it in every key because he understands and hears intervals?

Or one who learns a song in the original key and MUST use transpose?


Of course the first guy is better.  So if you're the second guy right now, that doesn't mean you're not good.  It doesn't mean you're lazy...unless you don't WANT to be the first guy.

Don't justify using the Transpose, because there are people who have been playing for 10+ years and STILL transpose.

Just work until you don't HAVE to use the transpose.

Doesn't that make sense?

Agreed.

[Wolfram]

hmmm...  semantics....

I still say that all of this talk is the kettle calling the pot black, so to speak.  There are many talents in music.  Some people can actually read music.  There is nothing written that you can place in front of them that they cannot play...  They are BRILLIANT, VIRTUOSIC even as players...  Turn out the lights and the music stops....  Then you have others that can play by ear.  They can play anything under the sun as long as it is by ear.  Place a piece of sheet music in front of them and tell them to play it as written and the music STOPS.  Both musicians can tear it up in all twelve keys.  Both musicians allow their own personal egos to swell to the point that they truly BELIEVE that all it takes to truly be ALL THAT in music is to play in twelve keys.  Neither really get the true meaning of what music is about.  So focused are they on their own internal greatness that they miss the big picture.  Music does not need either of them to continue...  Music choses its own instruments.  The five year old girl giving her first piano lesson, the 85 year old man singing praises to God.  Music choses its own way to comunicate, Man places ego there to complicate things.

I allowed myself to get wrapped up in the other thread about transposing here on this site.  I prayed about how all of this made me feel.  How some of the comments made me feel and how I thought threads likes these fit into a site that was here to help people learn.

Many here sit in the comfort of our homes or offices dealing armchair judgements to people that we have never seen, heard or met.  To claim superiority to another in this venue is vain at the least and egotistical for sure.  All we really have here is a group of 'fantasy' contacts that fling ideas around.  I would love to see all this energy actually go towards helping people LEARN something instead of dealing out judgements.  With all the energy that has been expended on this thread, has anyone started a thread to help people learn a new key?  How about someone jumping in a starting a Key a week thread?  Post tunes, post worksheets or chord progressions or scale patterns to help get your key challenged brothers and sisters out of their ruts?  I place this back in your court...