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Can you help.me transpose some music so no black notes are included??

7 replies

Trallers · 06/01/2025 20:11

I have a piece of music that I want to play on one of those wind up music boxes where you punch the holes jn the paper to play a song.

My music is E flat major so lots of sharps, and I've just realised you can't play those.

What key could I transpose to so it's only white notes, or will that not work at all?

Many thanks!

OP posts:
aurynne · 06/01/2025 20:13

It really depends on the melody. Is it very long? Happy to have a look at it if you message it to me.

Trallers · 06/01/2025 20:27

Thanks, I've pm'd you

This is the song

https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0187718&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%3A%20%28ROI%29%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Everything%20Else&utm_id=17854947063&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-67BhBlEiwAEVftNnaZWbvUlkYsZX8o-a6reuzLkp-NzcI6NWvZk4otVl6wZiLmMdOYGhoCuvYQAvD_BwE

It's only the first page I wanted as yhe music box can't play much.

Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life" Sheet Music (Leadsheet) in E Major - Download & Print

lead sheets for First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes Includes complete lyrics in E Major.

https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-67BhBlEiwAEVftNnaZWbvUlkYsZX8o-a6reuzLkp-NzcI6NWvZk4otVl6wZiLmMdOYGhoCuvYQAvD_BwE&ppn=MN0187718

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 06/01/2025 20:33

So the box can’t play any black notes.

you could transpose it down a third to C major but where there are accidentals (marked sharps) in the original you will need black notes for those in the transposed version. But it’s only a couple of notes, it will sound wrong but you might still be able to enjoy it.

aurynne · 06/01/2025 21:44

I'll have a look and come back to you :)

aurynne · 06/01/2025 21:55

I see @SarahMused has done it already.
I would use that partiture and leave the majors as the root note (as in, G# as G). It misses the change in tone but still sounds good and recognisable.

Trallers · 06/01/2025 22:04

Ah, that's annoying that it doesn't transpose quite properly! It didnt even occur to me that only some meodies would work with it. Thank you so much for the help all @aurynne,@Billybagpuss and @SarahMused

@aurynne I'll have a go as per your suggestion of and hope for the best!

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