Are there historical examples of piano transcriptions?
examples of piano transcriptions
There are many different kinds of music transcription, from writing down a guitar riff or vocal melody to making an orchestral arrangement from a piano piece. Transcription is a valuable skill for musicians of all levels, as it forces you to work things out by ear, and then capture them in some form that can be played back. This can be done on an instrument, sheet music, or within a program such as an audio editor. It can also help to connect you with a piece of music at a deeper level than simply learning the notes and rhythms, as you hear and see what the composer really intended.
The process of transcription involves listening to a piece of music and then notating the melodies, harmonic progressions, and rhythms of the performance using a musical notation system. This can be a traditional sheet music notation system, such as piano or classical scores; a tablature notation system, such as that used by guitarists; or even a chord chart for a particular song. The transcriptionist must be proficient in the notation system he or she is using to ensure that the transcription is accurate.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common practice for orchestral pieces to be transcribed (also known as arranged) for piano. This enabled students to study and play them at home without having an orchestra to assist them. A great example of this is Franz Liszt’s piano versions of many Beethoven symphonies.
Are there historical examples of piano transcriptions?
Transcription can also be used to create arrangements for instruments that are not normally associated with the piece of music, such as clarinets playing the horn parts in a flute and oboe concerto; or violins playing viola and cello parts in a string quartet. This type of transcription often requires more advanced skills, as the transcriber must be able to identify the key of the piece and then adapt it to the new instrument or ensemble.
There are some other forms of transcription that may not be so familiar to us, such as interpreting ethnomusicological recordings of a folk culture, or the transcription of birdsong by French composer Olivier Messiaen. These require a good ear, as they involve scale degree recognition and the ability to hear the sounds of different timbres.
The most important tool for a pianist to have is a well-developed ear. The ability to listen closely and work things out by ear is crucial for creating an accurate piano transcription, but so is the capacity for deduction. If something you transcribe isn’t working, or isn’t sounding right on your instrument, it’s a good idea to ask yourself why – is it because the chord progressions don’t fit with your playing style, or maybe it is because the articulation and vibrato of the performer doesn’t match with your own? Developing this kind of analytical skill will make you a better musician, no matter which instrument you play.