Transposition by Interval, Part 1

Summary

The video explains transposition by interval: choose an interval and a direction, then move every note in a piece by that same interval. The rhythm stays unchanged; only the pitches move.

The instructor demonstrates by transposing the melody of “Over the Rainbow” in C up a minor third. Each original note is raised by a minor third: for example, C becomes E♭, B becomes D, G becomes B♭, and A becomes C. The same process is applied throughout the melody, preserving its original rhythmic values and octave relationships. The instructor plays the original and transposed versions to check that the result sounds correct.

The main lesson is that transposing a melody is a straightforward, note-by-note task when you are comfortable identifying chromatic intervals. The next lesson applies the idea to chords, which are a more complex case.

Method

• Choose the interval and direction, such as “a minor third up.”
• Move each note in the original music by that interval.
• Keep the original rhythms and note durations unchanged.
• Play or listen to both versions to check the result.

Speakers or Sources

• Instructor/narrator: Scott Ethier, based on the channel context.
• Musical example: The melody of “Over the Rainbow.”