The Ruler
Move the melody, keep its relationships
The numbers travel with the phrase; the letter names adapt to the new key.
Take the guided lessonOne idea in C, then in G
Both phrases use degrees 1–2–3–1 and the same quarter/eighth/eighth/half rhythm. Only the starting key changes. Hear the same contour at another pitch level.
C D E C
CDEC
G A B G
GABG
Put these in order
Make a reliable transposition
- 1empty
- 2empty
- 3empty
- 4empty
Build the written notes
Move C–E–G–E–C into G major
The source phrase is 1–3–5–3–1. Use the corresponding written notes of G major. The first G is given.
Transposition keeps more than a shape
Moving a melody into another major key keeps its degree sequence and interval pattern. Changing it from major to parallel minor changes some intervals; that is a change of mode as well.
On guitar, sliding a fully fretted shape can preserve distances. An open-string phrase needs new positions or a capo strategy. Verify the resulting notes instead of assuming every shape simply slides.
Check yourself
If 1–2–3–1 moves from C major to D major, which notes result?
What to keep
Takeaways
- Write degrees, build the new key, then preserve order and rhythm.
- Check sounding notes when a guitar fingering involves open strings.