Transposing music from C to D

Whistle
1

Hello,

Are there any hard and fast rules for transposing music written in the key of C to music written in the key of D? I’m new to the whistle, and I understand that it’s a D instrument. Most of the sheet music out there is written for C instruments, like Christmas carols and what not. Is there any formula I can use to convert C music to D music? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Also, if a piece of music is already written in the key of D, but requires me to play a note lower than low D, which is the lowest note the whistle can possibly play, what do I do?

Thanks,

Mike

2

Actually all whistles are “C” instruments but come in different keys (the most common is in the key of D)

It sounds like what you want is: that you have a D whistle and music in the Key of C and you want to know how to transpose the music in the Key of C to the Key of D (you could also just buy a C whistle).

Check the Main Website for links to transposing

The lowest note on a D whistle is the D just above middle C (the lowest note on a C whistle is middle C). The question on how to play notes below the lowest note on the whistle comes up here about every 3 to 4 weeks and you can find many suggestions if you search the broard on this topic.

Joe

3

The D on a D whistle will sound the same as a D on a so called C instrument such as a soprano recorder, or modern flute. As long as the music is in a key favorable to a D whistle ( eg, no flats) just go ahead and play it.
Actually, the fundamental scale of a Sop recorder and modern flute is really a D scale, with the extra low notes tacked on at the bottom of the instrument. Really
Gets more complicated if you were to ask how to play C music on a Bb, F, etc whistle…

4

On 2001-12-03 22:53, LittleCaesar wrote:
Hello,

Are there any hard and fast rules for transposing music written in the key of C to music written in the key of D?

Yes. D is 2 semitones (half steps) above C.

I’m new to the whistle, and I understand that it’s a D instrument. Most of the sheet music out there is written for C instruments, like Christmas carols and what not.

Actually, you will find quite a lot of music – Celtic, American, folk, blues, and Christmas music – that is written in D and G, which are the major keys that can be played on the D whistle. (You can also play A major on the D whistle, but you have to half-hole the G#, or use an alternate fingering, like XXOXXX.)

For Christmas music, check out these sites:

  • http://www.guitarnut.com/folktablature/index.html
  • http://www.tinwhistler.com/music

Is there any formula I can use to convert C music to D music? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

The chromatic (all sharps and flats) scale, starting on middle C is: C C# D Eb E F F# G G# A Bb B C. Each position is a semitone (half step). You can see that from C to D is two semitones, C# and D. So, if you want to transpose the music by hand, just find the note in the chromatic scale and count two positions forward: C → D, D → E, E → F#, etc.

The easier thing to do is get (or put) the music in ABC format and get a program that will transpose for you. I have used ABC Tools, abcMIDI, and Melody Assistant.

Also, if a piece of music is already written in the key of D, but requires me to play a note lower than low D, which is the lowest note the whistle can possibly play, what do I do?

Thanks,

Mike

That’s up to you. You can play the note an octave higher, play a harmonizing note, or try playing the piece in the key of G (5 semitones above D).

~ Thornton