drypitstop - Posted - 10/28/2012:  08:02:40

Freins:  The song Rocky top, how would I transpose this tune from "G"  to "E"  and what are the  different notes in the key of "E"

Dick Hauser - Posted - 10/28/2012:  08:33:10

The "E" scale has a F#, C#, G#, and a D#. Transposing tunes from one key to another has lots of things to consider. I think the tune you mentioned will require lots of work.

DougD - Posted - 10/28/2012:  08:45:55

Dennis - You need to lower each note a minor third (three half steps). A "G" becomes E, "B" becomes G#, "D" becomes B, and so on. A couple more: "A" becomes F#, "C" becomes A, "E" becomes C#, and "F#" becomes D#. That's all the notes in a G major scale. Buy yourself a cheap $10 keyboard at the Dollar Store if you want to see this more clearly. Good luck.

eric marten - Posted - 10/28/2012:  11:28:06

To get used to the key of E,  listen to "Maple Sugar"  (B part),  or Kenny Baker's version of "Dry and Dusty".  Play, strum, or pick along with a recording and you'll get used to the notes and finger patterns for this key. More fun than doing scales.

AZJohnB - Posted - 10/28/2012:  14:14:54

Watch out - Rocky Top has a few notes that are not normally in the key - accidentals.  The second phrase of the chorus has  the 7th note of the scale  (F if you are playing in G,  would be D in the key of E).  I can make a midi file in E for you if you'd like.  Personally, I am happy just to play it in G.:)

Edited by - AZJohnB on 10/28/2012 14:17:25

OTJunky - Posted - 10/28/2012:  14:46:45

Probably playing it in G is not the problem. It's more likely the high note's out of reach for the singer in G - but in range in the key of E.

That said, I'd have thought it might be illegal to sing it in E. If the Bluegrass police don't get you, the banjo player will.

--OTJ

DougD - Posted - 10/28/2012:  16:16:35

The original is in B:  youtube.com/watch?v=77hneLgt33k

As a proud citizen of the Volunteer State, a part of me says if you cain't do it right, just leave it alone. But on the other hand (as the old song goes), do what you need to get by.

paulinefiddle - Posted - 10/30/2012:  01:00:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

The original is in B:  youtube.com/watch?v=77hneLgt33k

As a proud citizen of the Volunteer State, a part of me says if you cain't do it right, just leave it alone. But on the other hand (as the old song goes), do what you need to get by.

---------------------------------

...and the original had no fiddlers.  B is an outlandish key for fiddlers. 

drypitstop - Posted - 10/30/2012:  17:12:04

The reason I asked is I couldnt get a very good response out of guitar hangout, Me and wife harmonize this tune in "G"  too high for us, so a freind who plays country said to  play it in "E" said it is easier to play and sing in that key, but there are a couple of chords that are difficult wish there was a better way to transpose it I wish I could see a slow video of it being played in the key of "E"