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Transposition

transposition

noun trans-po-zi-TSYOHN Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: from Latin transponere

Also means

moving a piece or passage to a different key

Usage Note

Transposition lowers or raises a piece to suit a singer's vocal range or a different instrument's tessitura. Horn players and clarinet players read transposing parts as a matter of course.

Examples

"Die Transposition des Liedes um eine Terz nach unten erleichterte der Sängerin die hohen Töne."

Natural Translation

The transposition of the song down a third made the high notes easier for the singer.

Literal Translation

The transposition of the song by a third downward eased the singer the high tones.

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