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How to Transpose to E Flat

Transposing a song can be useful when attempting to find the optimal key for musical performance. The key of Eb is often used for slower songs because of it's soft, melancholy timbre. Eb was most famously used by Frederik Chopin in his "Nocturne in Eb"- one of the most iconic pieces of the classical era. A good way to transpose a piece is by using note numbers. In music theory, there is a more complicated method of transposition that uses Roman numerals. However, those who don't desire a long lesson in theory can use the number method.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Instrument
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Instructions

    • 1

      Write the notes from Eb to Eb as it would appear on a piano. Eb-E-F-Gb-G-Ab-A-Bb-B-C-Db-D-Eb. Assign each note a number based off of its position from the left. So, Eb=1 E=2 F=3 and so on. There should be 13 notes.

    • 2

      Determine what key your original song is in. Lets say it's in the key of "C".

    • 3

      Write notes from C to C. So this would go, C-C#-D-D#-E-F-F#-G-G#-A-A#-B-C. Assign each of these notes a number. The notes should number 1 to 13.

    • 4

      Transpose the notes or chords in your original song using the chart you've created. This way a "6" in one scale will have the same chordal position in another scale, even if the key is different. If your original song goes 1-6-8, or C-F-G, then your song in Eb would go Eb-Ab-Bb.

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