Whitney Smith’s EZ Song Transposing Chart ©

Ease of Use

Scale degrees>

I

bii

ii

biii

iii

IV

bV

V

bvi

vi

bvii

vii

I

for Jazz Musicians

KEY (read down)

C

C

C#//Db

D

Eb

E

F

F#/Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

Optimal

Db

Db

D

Eb

E

F

Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

Db

Doable

D

D

Eb

E

F

F#/Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

C#/Db

Doable

Eb

Eb

E

F

Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

Db

D

Eb

Optimal

E

E

F

F#/Gb

G

G#/Ab

A

A#/Bb

B

C

C#/Db

D

Eb

E

Avoid

F

F

Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

C#/Db

D

Eb

E

F

Optimal

Gb

Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

Db

D

Eb

E

F

Gb

Doable

G

G

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

C#/Db

D

Eb

E

F

F#/Gb

G

Optimal

Ab

Ab

A

Bb

B

C

Db

D

Eb

E

F

Gb

G

Ab

Optimal

A

A

A#/Bb

B

C

C#/Db

D

D#/Eb

E

F

F#/Gb

G

Ab

A

Difficult

Bb

Bb

B

C

Db

D

Eb

E

F

Gb

G

Ab

A

Bb

Optimal

B

B

C

C#/Db

D

D#

E

F

F#/Gb

G

G#/Ab

A

A#

B

Avoid

1. ALWAYS ORIENT TO THE KEY FIRST: In transposing from this chart you will be concerned with two rows only. One horizontal row is the key from the chart you're transposing FROM (source key); the other row is the

key you're transposing TO (destination key). Never look at this chart and ask yourself: “Where’s my note?” First ask, what key am I transposing FROM, and what letter of that key will correspond to a note or a chord that I will transpose TO. Two keys (two rows): source key row and destination key row.

2. FINDING YOUR KEY FOR A PARTICULAR SONG. (This is not rocket science but at first glance it may seem like it! Fear not.) Find the alphabetical letter from the source key row; that is, the key from the original sheet music of the song you want to transpose). This alphabetical letter will correspond with a letter in another key that you find by going up or down in the vertical row of the scale degree you have identified. For instance, if your high note in your general vocal range is Bb, and the high note of the source key chart is E (in the key of C), then you will go to E in the KEY OF C row and find the letter Bb in the vertical column of the iii scale degree. By going down the E (iii scale degree) column you will find the note that corresponds to your high note, which in this case, is Bb. What column, or key, is Bb in? It’s in the key of Gb. Therefore, the iii scale degree of the key of Gb is Bb; or, Bb is the iii scale degree of Gb, which corresponds to E, which is the iii scale of the source key: C. Simple rocket science! This chart is a theoretical guideline based on your knowledge of your high note; you can also use your low note range. However, you have to test out the song and see if the key is right for you. Performing the song will tell you what the best key is for the particular song.

3. FINDING THE KEY WHEN YOU’RE SINGING IN THE SHOWER. Sing the first note of the song that you like the sound of yourself singing. You will need a piano, pitch pipe or other instrument to do this. Let’s say it’s D. Find the source key sheet music of the song (use the library if you need to) and determine the key of the song (you may have to figure out sharps and flats). Then identify the first note of the song; let’s say it’s C in the key of F. Use the key of F row, find the letter C, which is the V degree (5^th), then find — in that vertical row — the first note of the song that you are singing, D. What row is it in? It’s in the G row. So G is the key that you like singing the song in, at least when you’re in the shower.

4. This alphabetical chart is just that; as you see, there are no notes or chords attached to the letters. These letters can correspond to a note or a chord. In the case of chords, just add the chord form information — like m7(b5) — to the letter name: F#m7(b5). Remember not to confuse the chord letter and the chord form information — they are separate things. Draw a little line between the two in your mind to keep them separate. Enjoy singing!

Whitney Smith JAZZ SINGING CLINIC ©2008

416-913-3992 whitney@whitneysmith.ca

www.bigsteamband.com

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