Should You Use The Transpose On Piano?

[@DouglasJWilkening]

Did you know that the transposing piano was invented by Irving Berlin? Yes, Mr. Berlin couldn’t figure out how to play in any key other than F#, so he had a special piano built for himself that had a hand crank on the side. Turning the crank moved the keyboard and hammers to the left or right with respect to the harp so that he could play the keys in F# and have the piano sound in any key. Now, who here wants to call Irving Berlin a “bad” or “incompetent” musician? A Grammy Award winner, he wrote dozens of chart topping hits and his music today forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. George Gershwin called him the greatest songwriter who ever lived. And he couldn’t transpose.

[@SoothingJazz88]

Biggest problem with the transpose button......FORGETTING TO reset to normal!!! So many times I've forgotten and then start the next song in the WRONG KEY!!!! It took me thirty years to finally tackle all keys!!! It's time to learn F#, B E. (not really great keyboard keys). I feel like a new student all over again. Kinda fun to play songs in different keys, you discover some very cool things

[@LTJRPHA]

I've played the piano for over 30 years and I know all keys. But some songs just feels better in my favorite key which is F. So if the song is difficult to play in the original key and I have to perform, i'll transpose for comfort.

[@jdiaz4877]

Well said my friend I never used the transpose and was highly against it but lately as I become more advance in the keyboard I realize all the benefits it has for advance players. I would say to beginners in church or pop music is to learn the basic chord progressions in most keys (specially the hard ones). I find that playing chords, and grooving is completly acheivable and not as hard as it seems.

[@tragiksaddler7741]

Very true..I play keyboard and my favourite chord is c sharp but I do know how to play in all keys but I'm not good in all keys but I try to train my self like whatever song I learn or chords I try to applied it in the keys that I'm not comfortable in and it's not hard it just takes some practice..so transpose is helpful but it's good to learn all keys

[@alabamaflip2053]

Most logical discussion on transpose button for all levels of musicians.

[@AJMjazz]

I can agree with most of your points here. However, I hired a keyboard player on a recommendation for a high profile gig (tux and bowtie). He had notated charts for all the songs and played the arrangements as written. He forgot to reset the transpose after one song into the next. Ok, I'll let that slide. Second set, it happend again and on a song where the intro was only piano, he couldn't bail, we played the song in the "transposed key - singer was not happy. I leaned over to the keyboard player and asked "That is the last time that will happen, right?" It happened a third time at the end of the second set. Fortunately, the third set was "departing music" - mostly instrumentals that would give the patrons time to say their goodbyes, gather their belongings and depart the event. The player was dismissed and sent home without compensation after the second set. When asked why, I replied, "If you were able to use all of your skill to sight transpose those songs into a key you were accustomed to playing them on your instrument, why would you need a transpose button? Could you have simply played them in the key they were written in?" No reply. Never hired again. Also gave no comment when asked of his skills by others. Sometimes, silence speaks volumes.

[@MystroMike144]

At the end of the day, It's all about sounding good. It doesn't matter what road you take to get there. If you ask someone can they play every song they know in every key, the majority of musicians will tell you "NO I don't know every song in every key" Plus, if your playing a gig, the singer only cares that you play the song. Singers change keys all the time. There are multi platinum producers who don't play in every key. But guess what, your at a gig making 100$ to play music produced by that same person who doesn't play in every key. While he's making millions off that song LOL

[@JohannesSampson]

Hi brother, I am so thankful for this video. I was taught by the Holy Spirit how to play keys. I learnt in f# and I transpose cause that's what I know. I was criticized by fellow brethren but I don't really care cause I get the job done. I play in church. Thank you once again for making this video, may God richly bless you❤

[@godfrednartey]

Very good 💯 exactly

[@rhw010590]

Great video bro. A very touchy subject in the black church. Answered with class 👌🏾

[@TerenceFisher1]

Thanks a lot bro!!

[@thomjohn98]

I use the transpose button, not to make a song easier, but to put it from the key you learned it in to the key the band is playing it in.. Example: Our band does "Vehicle" it's in E flat but the band does it in Em and the old band did it in Dm.. I play my parts in E flat and transpose to them up or down a 1/2 step.. That is what I use transpose for.. When you are in a band and they tell you record key, and you learn it in record key and they decide to change it, transpose works...............

[@watchandpray3239]

At last someone with the boldness to bring this up. THANK YOU.

[@TerenceFisher1]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@justanmpowereddude5021]

I think musicians should learn all keys, especially if you're always playing in a band. The transitions to other keys and all the arrangements make it tough to rely on the transpose button. I'd say learn all keys and use the button only in emergency situations.

[@joecurry4457]

Great video brother I love that where I'm from musicians in my area always down on people that transpose it's a turnoff for me because I'm not a professional I do it because I love music and when I'm playing for churches I'll let them know sometimes I might have to transpose I'm not a professional that's why I'm not doing it for a living

[@lexdunn4160]

There are times when I use the transpose - usually if I'm at a jam and someone wants to do a song in a peculiar or unusual key (usually singers looking to get the optimum resonance for their voice) and it's tricky to transpose on the fly. There was a time when I started to use it too much when I was learning songs. Then I got an acoustic baby grand without transpose, and I have to say, I prefer to play in different keys: fingering is different, sure, but to me the biggest difference is how each key has a unique sound, even when the chord progressions are the same. It may be psychological, but if I transpose G up to Ab on my electronic keyboard, it doesn't sound the same as playing in Ab. But I like your attitude of let it be. Great video. Thanks.

[@foljs5858]

Not "might be". It 100% IS psychological. The sound is exactly the same as if you played in Ab.

[@Peaceful_Days]

I'm a guitarist and I'm thinking about learning to play the keyboard. I think I will learn several easy keys and then use a transpose button for the difficult ones. This is what I did on the acoustic guitar. You wanna play closer to open strings, but it's fine to put a capo on the second fret, for example. So I basically learned chords in the easiest keys which are C/Am, G/Em, D/Bm, and F/Dm. And I use a capo for any other key.

[@bobclint4355]

This is the best video on transpose I've seen

[@darrylpurvis7842]

This is good right here! I to a certain extent, have had small versions of some of those experiences that you’re talking about, including efforts to amp up my skill with different keys. I don’t use the transpose mechanism much at all, especially if I haven’t learned how to change the mode fast enough. I guess I have to become more technically savvy.

[@TerenceFisher1]

I understand bro! It's a struggle that we all go through as musicians, especially as keys players. Just keep at it!

[@CammyjOfficial]

Great video and interesting topic. I know this is a sore conversation for a lot of musicians.

[@TerenceFisher1]

Yes, a very sore one! :)

[@julie3025]

Sarah Vaughn would come on stage and tell her pianist what key to play in, and they were always playing a grand piano. If she smoked too many cigarettes the night before maybe certain keys were not comfortable for her to sing in, can you imagine telling Sarah Vaughn or Ella Fitzgerald or even Billie Holiday I don't have a transpose button ,so you have to adjust and sing in the only key I can play in and that I feel comfortable in. Ask some her greatest pianist who are still living till this day what they had to do to get to play behind some of the greatest singers and who are still considered the greatest singers today. Sorry Sarah I can't play in Cb so you have to sing it in the key of D. Sarah walked on stage and told Bob James the key she wanted him to play the song she wanted him to play the song in he was not the Boss she was then and still is considered the boss today years after her death. when she died she was worth 85 million dollars and won 13 Grammys. She tells you what key she wants you to play a song in so you better learn how to play in ALL of them

[@88kyzent]

I use transpose sometimes if I'm doing a studio session and I want to knock it out of the park in the least amount of takes. But other than that, I refuse to use the transpose button. Even in the aforementioned studio situation, I will probably revert to the actual key before the session is done. It just feels right. I learned on a piano and don't want a crutch to make me lazy. I still have my favourite keys, but I will try to make it work in whatever key. That's the best way to learn in my opinion anyways. And the truth is, sometimes I learn something that I wouldn't have learned in a key I'm comfortable in because I go to certain places more naturally. Playing out of my comfort zone only helps to expand my abilities.

[@TerenceFisher1]

Well said Micheal!!

[@kriskollmar9728]

Here’s my take. I just switched to keys out of necessity and am new to them. At this point I can only proficient in one key so yes I use transpose a lot AT THIS POINT. The plan use to fill that space but as time goes on slowly learn maybe one new key a month or so (proficiently) so over time I can ween myself off it as my skill level increases. Besides, guitar players have capos.

[@FurtiveSkeptical]

I've always tried to learn all my songs in the proper key. Some aren't as smooth or comfortable as others. The only time I use the transpose function is in a pinch when accommodating a singer that is singing outside the standard key, or possibly in a jam situation where different musicians are getting up and down with songs in alternate keys. I prefer to learn the song in the key it was written whenever possible, I mean, the worst thing that could happen is to learn something new and get better? But if you're in a sudden situation where you need to use the transpose button to get you through? I use it guilt free.👍 I just learned a long time ago not to lean on it as a crutch. ✌️🎶

[@Patsygraham-ib5wt]

I am a keyboard and guitar player I use the transpose key if the guitar is capo’d just so I don’t have to think in two keys. Also use for down tuning

[@etsneroj]

My advice is transpose if you really need to (like when you can kill it in G but your vocalist needs it in G#). But, try to avoid transposing and push yourself to get comfortable in an many keys as possible. You will become a much better player and, anyway, you won't always have an instrument with a transpose function.

[@jakejacobs126]

Well said....

[@TerenceFisher1]

Thanks bro!

[@SoothingJazz88]

In a pinch, it's great to have but ultimately youll be an overall better keyboard player if you master all keys!!

[@domagojoinky8262]

So, I use capo on the acoustic guitar (I like more the sound of open chords and they ring more, and sometimes to avoid barre chords), and transpose function if I have a dreaded key (lanything with 4 or more sharps or flats) to play in on keyboard.

[@YotamIshay]

Should you use ride bike with training wheels? Iv'e never used it. I feel that it gets me out of touch with the piano and how different voicings sound. Plus if someones calling giant steps in a ddifferent key he's not a douchbag but the king of douchbags.

[@troybryant3884]

Thank you for this. So much truth in this. Do what you have to, to get the job done

[@scottrogers2831]

I used to be in the house band that hosted a open mic one night a week. Transpose was invaluable when people would want to sing a common song, but in an unusual key. I’ve seen guitar players use a capo. Seems like a similar technique.

[@romwell]

What can I say, 12 minutes well spent! Thanks for making this video. I feel like this says ALL that needs to be said on this subject! Subscribed. I don't use transpose when I'm learning songs (I try to play the songs that I know in different keys for practice - it's fun!). In a live situation, if I feel like I can play in the needed key right away, I'll do it. But nobody is going to wait for me to figure things out. If the vocalist is most comfortable with G flat minor, and I can't snap there right away - to the transpose button we go. Because what's also embarrassing is being THAT GUY in the spotlight who's going through chords muttering "hold on, guys, I got it". And most often, it's not even because the key is difficult for the song - it's because I remember the song in a particular key, and on top of remembering how to play it, I'd need to be transposing on the fly. Easy if it's one of those four-chord songs. Not so with Giant Steps 😂 (or even Girl From Ipanema, as I found out sitting at an acoustic piano).

[@TerenceFisher1]

Well said!!

[@jamelslifestyle]

Very well said man!! That’s the right attitude to have! 👏🏽👍🏽

[@lonewolfproductions1]

Bluegrass pickers can be phenomenal players in G D C then use a capo to play any flat or sharps and still be phenomenal just by using Music theory 1 4 5 in the key of whatever ….. just don’t forget to move your capo when you change songs. Lol

[@kanaanguillory1251]

I know all my keys on pianos. The transpose feature is mainly for my voice and I believe it’s really useful.

[@kanaanguillory1251]

And my favorite keys however are A, A minor, F, G, Bb, C and D

[@julianho7672]

it's very useful for me to transpose all songs @ my church. .....................................a

[@chandlerdukes1790]

Thank you Terrance for this, this was very helpful you just don’t know. Be blessed

[@JLStreetDoc]

I play all keys, but if I want to play along with a song as a rehearsal, but we are playing in a different key than the original. Like my band is playing in D, but I want practice and play along with the song but play the same key as my band, have to transpose so it sounds good. Make sense? lol

[@_TheMichaelOrlando]

People kill me with this subject. I use it and I also can play in other keys. I had a traumatic accident and it messed with my memory so I had to relearn a lot of things as far as keys. I’m getting back to learning all keys but I still use it. It doesn’t make me a bad musician if I do. I still get work either way

[@letitrain7773]

Great video

[@benaiaheche2048]

This is the first video I've seen without dislikes. So much truth! 😆

[@gloriousunitedpeople428]

I appreciate this video 👍🏾

[@220nextlevelsound]

I definitely would have to disagree with “Nobody cares if you have to use transpose or not “ . I know people that won’t hire you if they find out you can’t play in every key. Especially in a charismatic black or Pentecostal church setting, where modulations can be unpredictable, you could jump to a key a fourth up at any moment in a song or even suddenly be in a whole new song before you know it lol. You won’t have the time to be clicking a button up and down. Some important gigs won’t even consider a serious professional doing that. But, hey it’s on you if you’re cool with that 🤷🏽‍♂️. Finding the right key and hitting the +/- button takes too much time in live situations when having to accompany a vocalist, it’ll be less complicated to just know all your keys , less fumbling and embarrassment. Click..click…click….click…click lmao 🤣

[@TerenceFisher1]

Yeah, I don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying here. However, I think that these types of situations are the exception, not the rule. Of all the musicians in the world who play for the thousands upon thousands of events, churches of different denominations and types, clubs, bars, and on and on, situations like what you are naming here are a very small percentage. In other words, the vast majority of musical situations aren't going to require the pressure of having to spontaneously do things like jump a 4th in key, especially without preparation. Nevertheless, this video isn't to say that keys players shouldn't learn to play in all keys. All things considered, it's probably best to do so. It's just that if it's the case that a keys player can't play in all keys yet, it's not some huge deal like a lot of people make it out to be.

[@220nextlevelsound]

@@TerenceFisher1 It’s true that majority of gigs aren’t nearly as demanding as my scenario given, in fact I’m sure we both know people playing top gigs that are only playing in 1 or 2 keys 🎹 lol … so yea people are perhaps putting too much hype on if you can play in all 12 or not when it comes to gigging, however , for personal growth, I strongly advise it, you’ll have a better ear and a deeper appreciation of the instrument!

[@redsolar7]

Haha I like your style, it’s also a good point you made

[@JAMA1ful]

PREACH ! I LOVE THAT BUTTON LOL

[@niltomega2978]

Um yea...If someone wants to sing Desperado in another key....I'm using the transpose key...lol. On the other hand some people transpose everything to C...thats absurd.

[@ayubotieno8877]

Hello. Which keys correspond to transpose negative 4 and negative 6 on the piano?

[@CammyjOfficial]

Subscribed 👍🏾

[@TerenceFisher1]

Thank you so much Cammy!!!

[@byaruhangadennis2446]

It's not bad to use the transpose but if it becomes a habit it hinders your exploration of other keys truth to be told your not a professional keyboard. I am an intermediate keyboard player my music teacher discouraged me to use a transpose button now I can play in all keys. We just need to be deliberate learn the songs in their original keys and also learn to play that song in the keys near by that original key. I always learn to play a song in 4 Keys including the original key. And if the song has no a lot of intros & interludes that one I can play it all keys.

[@AndrewDeFaria]

Question for those pianists that use the transpose button - what do you do when the song transitions into another key?

[@johnny6904]

I consider myself a jack of all trades musician, never tout myself as a serious keyboardist. I'm open honest with my transposing usage Keep getting asked to play gigs, though! Lol

[@propagandakiller632]

I'm actually terrified of the transpose button. I rarely use it, almost never. The few times I've I've tried it, I've often forgot to put it back, or worst, where it was on the keyboard. Because of this, I've been traumatized on occasion. I generally work solo gigs and play every song in the key I can sing it in, which is never the original. So, I get much practice transposing.

[@mugalyaronald2842]

I love this facts

[@ShadamAran]

Seems like the keyboard equivalent of a guitar capo. Who cares? For many performers their instrument is just there to provide a chord progression for their voice. Would make it easy for a band who wanted someone to bring a keyboard and didn't necessarily know how to get around if they weren't playing white keys.

[@erictriplett33]

I can play pretty well in about 8-9 of the 12 keys. But I might need to reach for the button if someone wants something in F#...

[@princealex726]

While some of us, that's our favorite key 😂

[@erictriplett33]

@@princealex726 you freak. 8^)

[@linuskumaza539]

Is that good to transpose?

[@dalemyst7090]

I only use transpose because i wanna hear the music im playing like i hear it for the first time ever again

[@kevinburke382]

I would. I have to use transpose on piano.

[@tonylancer7367]

Reminds of this meme from Kevon Carter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX2UY2VshrKBjKM I see it like this, if transposing pays the bills, then do it, because we don't want you to lose bread at the end of the day. However, I feel, as a musician, I know you always want to improve, find clever ways of playing chords, extending your knowledge especially if you are in the jazz/gospel/funk world, you are always exploring what are the new ways to play chords, runs, licks, scales, then start locking yourself in the room and practice those keys. We all wish we could be music directors for the Grammys and Beyonce, but I don't think we would be doing justice to ourselves if we just learned one key. My piano "role model" is Greg Philliganes and to be like him playing all types of music, guess what? I need to learn all those damn keys. 😅 It might be different for most for those they look up to, but for me, I want to become a musician's musician, where you just relax because you know the guy playing can take you on a beautiful trip. Let's all become better-rounded musicians, no hate those that transpose. There's also an interesting conversation on transposing on Warren's channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIazfKKHlp6aorM

[@Alaska_MD]

Who are the musicians you know who transpose everything, and do they want my money? I want to take lessons from them. That's how I want to learn piano. Where would you send me for that?

[@jaystonn]

The way he talks abt the global screen 🤣🤣🤣

[@mugalyaronald2842]

I think it's even more professional when you play in all keys

[@sagrsalem6340]

I hope to see a pro guitarist who Never use a capo If technology make it easier why should I select the Hard way ?

[@demetriccauthen-no1jy]

I'm trying to learn without transporting 😅

[@francischionyere4423]

Broh I really appreciate I was stressed=r😢😢😢=😢r===

[@harveyharris9251]

Transpose as much as possible people wont know and you will sound fabulous. The real key is can you sing, unfortunately there is no transpose for that, lol.

[@boikarabelolekoane4703]

I dont have time to learn other keys. I transpose everything

[@rudolph_007]

🤟🏻👍🏻

[@julie3025]

Sorry made a mistake on my previous comment 4 minutes ago Sarah won 4 Grammys and Ella Fitzgerald won 14

[@lavdoshgjuzaj4882]

Transpose is just like a calculator or a computer, Transposing gives you a better idea of our universe and time. There are seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months years, and yet we don't count all of them every time. life is too short to learn every finger position and get the same results, instead spend some time in training your ears to know the sound the scale you want to go to sounds like in relation to the scale what you know how to play it. I am 50 years old and speak 8 languages, but my mind is on music, I didn't have money to buy a keyboard. I will learn the keyboard and be excellent in one key. I wish keyboards would have 12 separate transpose keys that each key would bring me immediately on each of the 12 keys of the octave. For example, if I am playing live on the key of the C major and I want to go immediately to the key of G I want to press one key that brings me immediately there and not press the transpose key 7 times. Live there's not time for that. Is any keyboard that does that? Good luck to all.

[@Maalik.M]

I'm 14 playing in Jamaica at my school I can't play in all keys so I normally use the transpose I'm wondering if it a bad thing but it's not so thanks no one care.

[@lilastrobeats]

No offense bro but the question people are seeking from this video are for a younger audience. No one nowadays is playing live gigs or even record live. Your opinion is based on a different culture that doesn’t really exist. In todays time the concern is whether or not transpose causes a negative impact in the learning process of music theory or being able to achieve a consistent chord when switching the transpose. It makes it more tedious to memorize if you switch between the two

[@tylerhuson889]

I don’t know any sax players who switch horns for changing keys.

[@fordeca42]

I play the alto sax. I only bring one instrument to church. What ever the keyboard/piano player starts the song in for the singers then I transpose so we are playing correctly.

[@K-Viz]

Hitting the transpose button on piano is the analog to what lazy guitarists do with abusing the capo.

[@K-Viz]

And I'm a lazy guitarist. :)

[@tinotendamandizvidza1903]

They is no good bro don't transpose

[@vladimirbank390]

bla bla bla bla bla bla bla .....

[@komiyahyahsharal316]

Never transpose ‼️👎🏿

[@bobclint4355]

This is the best video on transpose I've seen