[Disclaimer, I am just a "plunker", not a music scholar. Please correct me if I am blatantly wrong]
The term 'transposing" is a frightening to many, including me. I am too slow to transpose in real time, but I don't blame myself for that.
As this applies to baritone vs. standard ukulele:
Using the same finger positions, the baritone (DGBE) will sound a 5th lower in pitch than a standard (GCEA) ukulele. The baritone transposes standard ukulele notes to a 5th lower.
Another transposing example:
A Viola (CGDA) is tuned a 5th lower than a violin (GDAE) but the same fingering positions are used. The the longer scale (string) length of the viola "transposes" violin finger positions to sound a 5th lower.
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I, too, was frustrated with two instruments that play (finger) the same but "sound out" in a different key. My brain just doesn't work that way. It's just me.
My workaround:
After much experimenting, I finally determined that a concert scale ukulele can be strung the same as as a baritone, albeit with a re-entry D string. This allows me to use the same fingering on both instruments and get the same pitch (key) notes. There is no transposing.
The strings I put on the concert are:
E .029
B .038
G .029w
Dr/e .036
My noggin' is now at peace, as I can pick up the baritone or the concert and just play without thinking.
---
In reality, I use CGBE (dropped D to Cr/e .034) tuning on both, but that is a different topic altogether.
-Wiggy
The term 'transposing" is a frightening to many, including me. I am too slow to transpose in real time, but I don't blame myself for that.
As this applies to baritone vs. standard ukulele:
Using the same finger positions, the baritone (DGBE) will sound a 5th lower in pitch than a standard (GCEA) ukulele. The baritone transposes standard ukulele notes to a 5th lower.
Another transposing example:
A Viola (CGDA) is tuned a 5th lower than a violin (GDAE) but the same fingering positions are used. The the longer scale (string) length of the viola "transposes" violin finger positions to sound a 5th lower.
---
I, too, was frustrated with two instruments that play (finger) the same but "sound out" in a different key. My brain just doesn't work that way. It's just me.
My workaround:
After much experimenting, I finally determined that a concert scale ukulele can be strung the same as as a baritone, albeit with a re-entry D string. This allows me to use the same fingering on both instruments and get the same pitch (key) notes. There is no transposing.
The strings I put on the concert are:
E .029
B .038
G .029w
Dr/e .036
My noggin' is now at peace, as I can pick up the baritone or the concert and just play without thinking.
---
In reality, I use CGBE (dropped D to Cr/e .034) tuning on both, but that is a different topic altogether.
-Wiggy
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