Glenn,
Sorry to jump in on this one before Manny has had a chance to answer, but there is a fantastic quote by Chris Gekker from
Notes on Practicing that really sums up what we all need to do regarding transposition.
Quote:
|
Reading clefs and other "formulas" can help, but don't rely on them. True skill, the kind that will stand up under pressure, is reflexive, learned by experience and repeated exposure. |
I used to be terrible at my Bb transposition. When I made the decision to play my C trumpet exclusively in all of my ensembles, I had to throw myself “in the fire” with regards to this transposition (I read intervals by the way for most transpositions – except C parts on A piccolo). My first “experience” was in a very low-pressure summer band where playing the right notes was simply not that important. We had a rehearsal on Tuesday and the concert on Thursday, and did this for 8 weeks. I was so embarrassed at how poorly I played on many of the pieces. But, I was under pressure, I was gaining experience, and I had to do this EVERY DAY. My feet were held to the fire every Tues and Thurs, so that there was no escaping this VERY weak aspect of my playing.
But you know what? By the time my Wind Ensemble resumed in the fall, I had shaken out 90 percent of my problems. I still dreaded first rehearsals when there were Grade 6 pieces, lots of flats, or blistering fast tempos. I was still missing notes, but it was far less frequent.
After over 10 years of playing only my C in ensembles, the
experience and repeated exposure is clearly engrained. I still miss the occasional note, but most of the time I just find myself on autopilot (at least for Bb transposition).
In all of the reading that I have done about Mr. Vacchiano, he held his students feet to the fire all of the time regarding transposition. I would simply recommended that you commit yourself to your goal (say that up a step transposition from your Bb) and keep at it until it is second nature.
Good luck!