Theory · 2 min read
Transposing Instruments, Explained (B♭, E♭, F and A)
Why clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and horns read different notes than they sound, and fast methods to transpose by interval or key signature.
Updated · Tonehole editors
When a clarinettist plays a written C, the piano hears a B♭. When an alto saxophonist plays a written C, it sounds E♭. These are transposing instruments: the written note and the sounding (concert) pitch differ by a fixed interval.
Why do transposing instruments exist?#
- Shared fingerings. A family of instruments (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones; B♭, A and E♭ clarinets) can use the same written fingerings, so a player switches instruments without relearning.
- History. Natural horns and trumpets played the notes of one harmonic series; parts were written as if in C and the player chose the crook (key).
- Readability. Octave transpositions (piccolo, guitar, double bass) keep notes on the staff instead of using many ledger lines.
The common transpositions#
| Instrument | Written C sounds | To write a concert part… |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ clarinet, trumpet, soprano sax | B♭ (a major 2nd lower) | write a major 2nd higher |
| A clarinet | A (a minor 3rd lower) | write a minor 3rd higher |
| E♭ alto sax, alto clarinet | E♭ (a major 6th lower) | write a major 6th higher |
| E♭ clarinet | E♭ (a minor 3rd higher) | write a minor 3rd lower |
| F horn, English horn | F (a perfect 5th lower) | write a perfect 5th higher |
| B♭ tenor sax, bass clarinet | B♭ (a major 9th lower) | write a major 9th higher |
| E♭ baritone sax | E♭ (an octave + major 6th lower) | write an octave + major 6th higher |
See every instrument in the transposition chart.
Method 1: transpose by interval#
Move every note by the interval, keeping letter names in step. For a B♭ instrument, concert F G A B♭ becomes G A B C — each a major second higher.
Method 2: transpose the key signature#
Change the key signature, then move each note by the same number of letter steps:
- B♭ instruments: add two sharps (or remove two flats). Concert E♭ major (3♭) → written F major (1♭).
- E♭ instruments: add three sharps (or remove three flats). Concert E♭ major → written C major.
- F instruments: add one sharp. Concert B♭ major (2♭) → written F major (1♭).
Accidentals inside the music keep their function: a concert natural that raises a flat becomes a written natural or sharp as needed.
Talk in concert pitch#
In rehearsals, say "concert B♭" to avoid confusion. Our scale pages show both the written and the concert key, and the transposition calculator converts notes and chord symbols between any two instruments.
Why is the B♭ clarinet in B♭?#
Its written C sounds B♭. The B♭ size became standard because it plays well in the flat keys common in bands and orchestras, with the A clarinet used for sharp keys.
Is the flute a transposing instrument?#
The concert flute is not — it sounds as written. The piccolo sounds an octave higher, the alto flute a fourth lower and the bass flute an octave lower.
Do tenor saxophone parts use treble clef?#
Yes. Tenor saxophone is written in treble clef and sounds a major ninth (an octave plus a whole step) lower than written.