Learning targets
I can name all the typical transposing instruments in band.
I can transpose any note in any interval.
I am proficient at transposing from the concert key to written keys like (Bb, Eb, and F)
I can transpose any note in any interval.
I am proficient at transposing from the concert key to written keys like (Bb, Eb, and F)
What is transposition?
Transposition is the process of moving notes up or down by a specific interval. This is helpful when a singer wants to sing a song in a different key to match their voice better. To write music for band instruments we need to transpose melodies for specific instruments. This is why instrumentalists in band can't just play other people's parts!
This is an example of a melody being transposed from G to C to F.
Transposing instruments
Why do we have transposing instruments? The short answer...because it's what we've done forever! We can't change the system now because everyone already uses it. Instruments are built with natural fundamental pitch. Modern instruments are made so that we can try to play in every key equally. Unfortunately, that is just not the case!
Bb instruments: clarinet, trumpet, tenor sax
Eb instruments: alto sax, bari sax
F instruments: french horn
Non-transposing C instruments: flute, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
(while trombones, euphoniums, and tuba are technically Bb instrument. They do NOT transpose)
(while trombones, euphoniums, and tuba are technically Bb instrument. They do NOT transpose)
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HOW to transpose
Let's try transposing one note for a Bb instrument like the clarinet. If the sounding (or concert) note is a Bb, that means the clarinet plays a written C. Their C sounds like a Bb. That means their actual sound is one whole step lower than their written sound. That's one whole step lower! If they play an E, it sounds like a D. If they play a Ab, it sounds like a Gb. When clarinets play a concert Bb scale, they are actually play a written C scale.
Let's try transposing one note for an Eb instrument like the alto sax. If the sounding (or concert) note is an Eb, that means the alto sax plays a written C. Their C sounds like an Eb. That means their actual sound is a major 6th below their written note. That's 9 half steps lower! If they play an E, it sounds like a G. If they play a Ab, it sounds like a B. When alto saxophones play a concert Bb scale, they actually play a written G scale.
Let's try transposing one note for an F instrument like the french horn. If the sounding (or concert) note is an F, that means the french horn plays a written C. Their C sounds like an F. That means their actual sound is a perfect 5th below their written note. That's 7 half steps lower! If they play an E, it sounds like an A. If they play a Ab, it sounds like a Db. When french horns play a concert Bb scale, they actually play a written Eb scale.
Let's try transposing one note for an Eb instrument like the alto sax. If the sounding (or concert) note is an Eb, that means the alto sax plays a written C. Their C sounds like an Eb. That means their actual sound is a major 6th below their written note. That's 9 half steps lower! If they play an E, it sounds like a G. If they play a Ab, it sounds like a B. When alto saxophones play a concert Bb scale, they actually play a written G scale.
Let's try transposing one note for an F instrument like the french horn. If the sounding (or concert) note is an F, that means the french horn plays a written C. Their C sounds like an F. That means their actual sound is a perfect 5th below their written note. That's 7 half steps lower! If they play an E, it sounds like an A. If they play a Ab, it sounds like a Db. When french horns play a concert Bb scale, they actually play a written Eb scale.
REMEMBER
Concert pitch means the actual perceived pitch. Written notes are the notes that the musicians read.
The written pitch is always higher than the sounding pitch (except glockenspiel, haha).
Bb instruments transpose down 1 whole step (major second).
Eb instruments transpose down 4.5 whole steps (major 6th).
F instruments transpose down 3.5 whole steps (perfect 5th).
If you're starting with the concert pitch and you want to figure out what the written pitch should be...you need to go up!!!
The written pitch is always higher than the sounding pitch (except glockenspiel, haha).
Bb instruments transpose down 1 whole step (major second).
Eb instruments transpose down 4.5 whole steps (major 6th).
F instruments transpose down 3.5 whole steps (perfect 5th).
If you're starting with the concert pitch and you want to figure out what the written pitch should be...you need to go up!!!