rdt1959

I am trying to arrange a song for our Church Praise Band (My first attempt at arrangement...the results should be interesting!). I understand that the accidentals should match the key signature. For instance, if writing in the key of Bb, the accidentals should be written as flats, not sharps. However, the song will be concert Bb, which of course puts the trumpet part in C.

When writing the trumpet part in this particular key, should the accidentals be written as sharps or flats? For example, should it be D# or Eb?

Thanks

__________________
Dick Taylor
Georgia
Comeback Player
Benge 65B

rowuk

I was taught, when in doubt: sharps for ascending lines and flats for decending.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Ari

it depends on the chord. If the note is the 3rd in a B7 chord going to Em it is correct to write it as D#, no matter what - ascending or decending. If its the 7 in a F7 chord, or the third in a Cm chord, it must be notated as Eb.

For instances, if your writing in G minor (harmonic), you must use F#, not Gb, even though it is a b-key (left from C in the circle of fifths).

brian moon

Try to write so that you don't have to use natural signs in the same measure. C -F#- G is better than C -G flat - G natural. Go for the cleanest look possible. Chords are important but enharmonics aren't as critical to a monophonic instrument as they are to a piano.

Another reason is that it is easier to read half steps if they are written as minor seconds as opposed to augmented unisons.

WRITE SEPARATE PARTS. Don't write 3 trumpet parts on one line and ask the second player to read the middle notes. Trumpet players are trained to transpose, not to read more than one note at a time.

When an organist asks me to read the middle notes I always want to ask them (I don't, I just play it) if they are comfortable doing that. Of course they aren't. They are trained to see the whole chord. They don't break it in to pieces.

__________________
Revelation 3:20

Vulgano Brother

Ditto to all of the above, with one addition -- the players of wind instruments prefer the key of Db to C# and Gb to F# and strings (including guitar prefer the sharp keys. As a rule of thumb, when you have the choice of key signature, is to go with the one with the fewest number of accidentals.

__________________
www.letsbuildhope.org

cornetguy

Actually I prefer sharps myself.

__________________
Per aspera ad astra

jpetrocelli

Everyone seems to have good advice. However, remember that it's YOUR arrangment. There is no Arranging God who will come down and smithe you if you don't do it exactly how it is prescribed in the music theory manual. Just use common sense and you should be fine. Ask yourself before you write the accidental: "Is this how I would want to see it?" If you say yes, then it's fine. If someone complains, tell them to write thier own arrangment.

rdt1959

Thank you all for your answers. And all were very good answers at that.

As always, TM members have good advice, and always give a person some other areas to explore. :)

__________________
Dick Taylor
Georgia
Comeback Player
Benge 65B