Help with Transposing from F Minor to F# Minor Properly

[Chikitin]

---

Hi,

When I transpose a simple tonal phrase (with no accidentals) from F minor to F# minor, I end up with a lot of accidentals. What is the proper way to handle this?

Here’s what I did:

1. After copying the original notes of the source phrase, I copied them over to the next bars.
2. Selected the notes in the copied phrase.
3. Transposed up by a semitone (I couldn’t select “Change Key Signature” — not sure what its purpose is if it doesn’t adjust from F minor to F# minor).
4. Manually added the F# minor key signature (three sharps) to the selection.

Please see the attached example. I need to repeat this process 11 more times, and I hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare!

Thanks for your help!

[charles_piano]

Hi,

In your case (f to f# minor), the semi-tone is an augmented unison (i.e. same note names, different accidentals)

When you’re not sure about the transposition interval, you can use the interval calculator in the Transpose dialog:

[jesele]

Try an augmented unison.

Jesper

[L3B]

The rule of thumb here is that if the letter name of the note is going to remain the same, you transpose by an augmented unison. if the letter name of the note is going to change by one letter, then you transpose by a diminished second. And you don’t need to worry about changing the key signature yourself. Doing the transposition to the new pitches automatically changes the key signature for you.

[Chikitin]

Thank you all. It works.