The transposition chart
Every row below says what a written C sounds as on the instrument, and how to get from concert pitch to the part. Write the part in the direction of the rule and change the key signature by the same interval.
| Instrument | Key | Written C4 sounds as | From concert pitch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piccolo | C | C5 | Write down an octave |
| Alto flute in G | G | G3 | Write up a perfect fourth |
| Bass flute | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
| Cor anglais | F | F3 | Write up a perfect fifth |
| Clarinet in E♭ | E♭ | E♭4 | Write down a minor third |
| Clarinet in B♭ | B♭ | B♭3 | Write up a major second |
| Clarinet in A | A | A3 | Write up a minor third |
| Bass clarinet | B♭ | B♭2 | Write up a major ninth |
| Contrabassoon | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
| Soprano saxophone in B♭ | B♭ | B♭3 | Write up a major second |
| Alto saxophone in E♭ | E♭ | E♭3 | Write up a major sixth |
| Tenor saxophone in B♭ | B♭ | B♭2 | Write up a major ninth |
| Baritone saxophone in E♭ | E♭ | E♭2 | Write up an octave and a major sixth |
| Horn in F | F | F3 | Write up a perfect fifth |
| Trumpet in B♭ | B♭ | B♭3 | Write up a major second |
| Trumpet in D | D | D4 | Write down a major second |
| Trumpet in E♭ | E♭ | E♭4 | Write down a minor third |
| Cornet in B♭ | B♭ | B♭3 | Write up a major second |
| Flugelhorn in B♭ | B♭ | B♭3 | Write up a major second |
| Euphonium in B♭ (treble clef) | B♭ | B♭2 | Write up a major ninth |
| Glockenspiel | C | C6 | Write down two octaves |
| Xylophone | C | C5 | Write down an octave |
| Celesta | C | C5 | Write down an octave |
| Double bass | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
| Guitar | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
| Bass guitar | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
| Tenor voice (treble clef) | C | C3 | Write up an octave |
Flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, tuba, timpani, harp, piano and the upper strings all read at concert pitch and are left out. So is the trumpet in C, which sounds as written.
Concert pitch and written pitch
Concert pitch is the sound itself, the note a piano would play. Written pitch is what the player reads. On a transposing instrument the two differ by a fixed interval, so the player can use the same fingering for a written note on every size of the instrument.
There are two kinds of transposition. Instruments in B♭, A, E♭, F and G transpose because of how they are built. The piccolo, double bass, contrabassoon, glockenspiel, xylophone, celesta and guitar only move by octaves, to keep the part on the staff.
How to transpose a part
- Find the instrument's rule in the chart, for example "write up a major second" for a B♭ clarinet.
- Move the key signature by the same interval. Concert E♭ major becomes F major for a B♭ instrument and C major for an E♭ alto saxophone.
- Move every note by the interval, keeping the letter names in step. A major second above E♭ is F, not E♯.
- Check the written range. The calculator spells notes for you, and the range tools show whether the result is playable.
When a written key ends up with seven sharps or flats, write the enharmonic key instead. Concert B major for a B♭ instrument is C♯ major on paper, which players read far more easily as D♭ major. The key converter above does this automatically and says so.
Transposition and sample libraries
Sample libraries map every instrument at sounding pitch, so you play the note you want to hear and never transpose while writing. Transposition only matters when the cue becomes a score and parts. A notation program does it for you once each instrument is set up correctly .
Two older conventions still catch people out. Horn parts in bass clef were traditionally written an octave lower than the modern convention, and some bass clarinet parts are written in bass clef sounding only a major second lower. The French horn guide covers horn transposition in more depth.
For the range each of these instruments can actually play, see the instrument range chart .