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Shakuhachi Transposition - Transposing western staff notation for different shakuhachi lengths
3
length of
shakuhachi
fundamental
pitch
key change
1.1
A
1b
1.2
G#
6# 6b
1.3
G
1#
1.4
F#
4b
1.5
F
3#
1.6
E
2b
1.7
Eb
5#
1.8
D
-
1.9
C#
5b
2.0
C
2#
2.1
B
3b
2.2/2.3
Bb
2.4
A
1b
2.55
Ab
6# 6b
2.6
G
1#
2.9
F#
4b
Most of us can easily learn to play staff notation on a 1.8 shakuhachi.
But to play staff notation on different length shakuhachi is much more difficult and there are few players who can transpose quickly in this way.
A very small number of shakuhachi players can sight-read staff notation on any length of shakuhachi and is it surely fascinating to watch such a player in action.

Have you ever noticed the difficulty playing western staff notation in the key of B Minor (2-sharps) using a 1.8 shakuhachi?
Have you noticed that the 'best' key in which to play a 1.8 shakuhachi is G Minor (2-flats)or D Minor (1-flat)?
Do you want to use a longer/shorter flute and are not sure how to change the key signature?

Step 1
Alter the key signature by the amount shown under 'key change' in the table coresponding to the length of flute chosen.
Say, for example, you have music presented in A Minor (no sharps or flats). This might be better played on a 1.6 shakuhachi. This will change the 'effective key' back to G Minor (2-flats added to the key signature).

With some exceptions of course, it is best to transpose staff notation back to an 'effective key' of G Minor (2-flats) or D Minor (1-flat). This freedom of choice in the playing music composed in staff notation can be satisfying. Different flute lengths can be chosen to achieve the desired effect, range, emphasis or timbre.
Step 2
Play the music in the new 'effective key' and 'move' the notes as indicated on the 'Staff Diagram'.
So for the example mentioned above, move the notes down one position on the staff. Instead of focussing on the note, focus your attention, in this case, just below the note.
1
2
Worked Example 1.
Here are the first four measures of Hõshun as composed by NAGASAWA Katsutoshi.
It was intended by the composer that this music be played on a 1.6 length shakuhachi.

This is the original score:

This is the 'transposed' score which resulted from:

Step 1: altering the key signature by adding 2-flats.
Step 2: 'moving' the notes down one position in accordance with the Staff Diagram

So now go ahead and play it on your 1.6 flute, but as if it was written for a 1.8 shakuhachi

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