Key changes

[bjs]

I have updated this one. Easy to figure out what key arises if I use an F whistle instead of a D but what if the music is written in Ab ? How to rewrite the score in a more friendly key and choose a whistle so the result comes out in the key of Ab?

http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~bjs/key-change.jpg

[MTGuru]

Hi Brian! That's a nice chart, and interesting. But a bit boggling, too. Isn't it easier (and more portable) just to refer to the basic circle of fifths?

All questions regarding keys and transposition can be answered using a linearized chart of fifths and a few simple rules:

Db Ab Eb Bb F C G D A E B F#

1) Any whistle can easily play the 3 major keys centered around its own key in the list.

2) Any major key can be played by the 3 whistles centered around that key in the list.

3) The key to the LEFT of a whistle key is always the G-fingering. The key to the RIGHT is always the A-fingering. And the whistle key itself is always the D-fingering.

Some examples:

1) On the chart you see G D A. So a D whistle (in the middle) can play in D, G and A. On the chart you see Bb F C. So an F whistle can play in F, Bb and C.

2) On the chart you see F C G. So to play in the key of C (in the middle), you can use an C, F or G whistle. On the chart you see Db Eb Ab. So to play in Eb, you can use an Eb, Db or Ab whistle.

3) On the chart you see D A E. So on an A whistle, the A-fingering (to the RIGHT) gives concert E. On the chart you see Ab Eb Bb. So on an Eb whistle, the G-fingering (to the LEFT) gives concert Ab. On the chart you see G D A. So on a D whistle, the D-fingering (in the middle) gives concert D.

4) You pick up an F whistle and read a sheet of music in the key of A as-is, using A-fingering. On the chart you see Bb F C. A-fingering is to the RIGHT of F. So you're actually playing in concert C.

5) Now you need to play that same sheet music in concert A with a piano. But you don't have a D or A whistle. On the chart you see D A E. So you pick up your E whistle, play with G-fingering (to the LEFT), and transpose the written music to G. The music sounds in concert A.

Of course, the algorithm can be generalized to all keys, modes and fingerings. For example, E fingering (D+2) on a Bb whistle gives concert C (Bb+2). But the clusters of 3 keys cover the practical basics.

[Flogging Jason]

Geez MTGuru....how can you be so technical so early in the morning?! It's 6:45am here and I'm barely awake! I won't be able to process your reply untill I've consumed enough caffeine to give a horse the jitters.

[MTGuru]

Sleepless in San Diego, Jason.

[bjs]

Thanks MTguru. I have attached the circle of 5ths list to my crib sheet:
tunes I know with first few notes.
I think my matrix wins on ease of use but yours wins hands down on compactness.

[pancelticpiper]

I would probably play it on an Eb whistle, Ab being the fourth on an Eb whistle. I also have an Ab whistle but don't use it much (wonder why...)
I came up with a Whistle Transposing Chart where I approach the issue in a very pragmatic way- I list the two major keys each whistle produces (from the fundamental and the fourth, because which you use depends on the range of the tune), and the two true minor keys each whistle produces (from the second and the sixth). This chart has helped me quickly find the right whistle at gigs.

[anniemcu]

...All questions regarding keys and transposition can be answered using a linearized chart of fifths and a few simple rules:

Db Ab Eb Bb F C G D A E B F#

1) Any whistle can easily play the 3 major keys centered around its own key in the list.

2) Any major key can be played by the 3 whistles centered around that key in the list.

3) The key to the LEFT of a whistle key is always the G-fingering. The key to the RIGHT is always the A-fingering. And the whistle key itself is always the D-fingering.

Great! Now I have to re-do my chart!

This is excellent info, MT, as usual. Thanks greatly!

[falkbeer]

I have updated this one. Easy to figure out what key arises if I use an F whistle instead of a D but what if the music is written in Ab ? How to rewrite the score in a more friendly key and choose a whistle so the result comes out in the key of Ab?

http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~bjs/key-change.jpg

Great diagram!!!

Have you tried translating this into a circular diagram? You know - like a clock?! I always think of the circle of fifth as as the face of a clock - 12 o´clock is C Major and 6 o´clock is G flat Major (makes it easier to visualize). If you made a turnable upper disc with the whistle keyes and the lower (slightly larger) with the actual key this could be an interesting and useful tool! I made a educational tool for navigation with three layers, a couple of years ago (the the earth/horizon, the sun and the equator) and it worked beautifully.

[MTGuru]

Great! Now I have to re-do my chart!

Yeah, I thought of that, too.

Nah, your chart is safe, and bjs's chart, too. I think charts are really useful. I just prefer a "calculated" approach, if possible, that I can keep in my head or jot down on a napkin.

Panceltic ... In my scheme, the 3 minor key fingerings are the 3 to the right of the whistle key, in the order A Dorian, E Dorian/Minor, and B Dorian/Minor (with respect to D). So to pick the correct whistle, you find the tune key and use one of the 3 whistles keys/fingerings to the left, depending on the mode:

[BDor/Min fingering] [EDor/Min fingering] [ADor fingering] [Tune Key]

For example, for a tune in E Dorian, the circle says: G D A E

That gives ADor fingering on an A whistle, or EDor fingering on a D whistle, or BDor fingering on a G whistle.

Have you tried translating this into a circular diagram?

Yes, a circular "whistle wheel" based on the circle of fifths would probably work pretty well. Hmmm ....

[jemtheflute]

Yes, a circular "whistle wheel" based on the circle of fifths would probably work pretty well. Hmmm ....

Quick, patent it and get into production! I'm sure Annie could incorporate them into one of the surfaces of her fantastic new bag! Luminous ones would be good for those dingy sessions and ill-lit gigs! I'm sure, done on two discs of stiff-but-flexible plastic pinned together, they'd be the kind of thing that could be mass produced very cheaply and printed with advertising, say for an outlet or venue - like key-fobs etc...... Get your local whistle specialist shop/maker to give them away as a publicity/promo thing with every whistle sold!

[falkbeer]

Yes, a circular "whistle wheel" based on the circle of fifths would probably work pretty well. Hmmm ....

Quick, patent it and get into production! I'm sure Annie could incorporate them into one of the surfaces of her fantastic new bag! Luminous ones would be good for those dingy sessions and ill-lit gigs! I'm sure, done on two discs of stiff-but-flexible plastic pinned together, they'd be the kind of thing that could be mass produced very cheaply and printed with advertising, say for an outlet or venue - like key-fobs etc...... Get your local whistle specialist shop/maker to give them away as a publicity/promo thing with every whistle sold!

Precisely what I had in mind!

[MTGuru]

Quick, patent it and get into production!

LOL

Right, Jem ... I plan to include it in my exclusive line of stylish MTGuru whistle accessories, including my Mute-O-Matic whistle mute (er, paper clip) and Accu-Tone fipple enhancer (er, rubber O-ring).

Actually, I have several friends who are talented graphics designers, who might be willing to tackle the Flexi-Key whistle disc ...

[sbhikes]

I'll admit I didn't understand the chart or the critiques of it, but here's my question. Even if you can chart out what whistle plays what key, don't you still need all your music written in the key of D or G so you can play it? I mean, if you need the sheet music that is.

[falkbeer]

Quick, patent it and get into production!

LOL

Right, Jem ... I plan to include it in my exclusive line of stylish MTGuru whistle accessories, including my Mute-O-Matic whistle mute (er, paper clip) and Accu-Tone fipple enhancer (er, rubber O-ring).

Actually, I have several friends who are talented graphics designers, who might be willing to tackle the Flexi-Key whistle disc ...

Here is another idea - if you convert your frinds design into a PDF document anyone could download it and make their own transposing wheel. Just glue the design on a piece of cardbord, cut it out and connect the discs with a clip.

[eskin]

http://www.maxhammondphotos.org.uk/blog ... fifths.gif

http://www.carolinaclassical.com/scales/circle.html

http://files.meetup.com/337149/CIRCLE_OF_FIFTHS.gif