TRANSPOSITIO

N
Because music isn't fun when its not arbitrarily
difficult
 WHY DO WE
TRANSPOSE?
➤ INSTRUMENTS ARE
BUILT IN DIFFERENT
KEYS
➤ CONDUCTORS SCORE
VS MASTER SCORE
➤ DIFFERENT CLEFS
➤ CLOSED TO OPEN
SCORES
TRANSPOSING
INSTRUMENTS:
➤ Trumpet

Key = Bb

Interval = M2

➤ Tenor Saxophone
Key = Bb
Octave

Interval = M9
TRANSPOSING
INSTRUMENTS:
➤ Alto Saxophone

Key = Eb
Interval = M6

➤ Baritone Saxophone
Key = Eb
Octave

Interval = M13
TRANSPOSING
➤ Acoustic
INSTRUMENTS:
Guitar
Key = C
Interval = P8

➤ Bass Guitar
Key = C
Octave

Interval = P8
TRANSPOSING
➤ French
INSTRUMENTS:
Horn
Key = F

Interval = P5
TRANSPOSING
CLEFS:
➤ Treble Clef
Middle C one
ledger line
below the stave

➤ Bass Clef
Middle C one
ledger line
above the stave
TRANSPOSING
CLEFS:
➤ Tenor Clef
Middle C on the
D line

➤ Alto Clef
Middle C on the
B line

➤ Handy little rhyme: Tenor Above, Alto Below

TRANSPOSING: A
GUIDE
1. Work out the interval you need to transpose
2. Rewrite the notes in the new interval
3. Work out the new key based on the interval
(e.g. C concert pitch - Up a 6th for Alto Sax =
A Major)
4. Add the accidentals based on the key (e.g. an
E note in C major will turn into an F# in D
Major)
THIS PIECE IS IN CONCERT PITCH,
AND NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN SO A
GUITAR PLAYER CAN PLAY IT
THIS PIECE IS IN CONCERT PITCH,
AND NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN SO A
TENOR SAX PLAYER CAN PLAY IT
THIS PIECE IS WRITTEN IN TREBLE
CLEF, BUT NEEDS TO BE
TRANSPOSED TO BASS CLEF