Transposition Chart & Guide
A B♭ trumpet reading C sounds B♭; an F horn reading C sounds F. This page explains how transposing instruments work, gives the transposition interval for every common instrument, and includes an interactive calculator that converts any concert pitch to written pitch.
- The ideaA transposing instrument sounds a fixed interval away from what it reads.
- B♭, E♭, FB♭ instruments sound a major 2nd lower; E♭ alto sax a major 6th lower; F horn a perfect 5th lower.
- Writing partsTo write for one, transpose the concert pitch the opposite direction.
Learning Objectives
- I can explain what a transposing instrument is
- I can find any instrument’s sounding pitch from its written pitch
- I can transpose a concert-pitch line for a B♭, E♭, or F instrument
- I can pick the right key signature for a transposed part
1 Interactive Transposition Calculator
Select an instrument and concert pitch to see the written pitch instantly.
2 Concert Pitch vs. Written Pitch
When a trumpet player reads and plays a C, the audience hears a Bb. This difference between what's written and what sounds is the essence of transposition.
Key Terminology
Concert Pitch: The actual sounding frequency. What the audience hears. What a piano would play.
Written Pitch: What appears on the page for a transposing instrument. What the player reads.
Non-transposing instruments (piano, flute, violin, etc.) have the same concert and written pitch. Transposing instruments have a built-in offset.
3 What "In Bb" or "In F" Means
When we say an instrument is "in Bb" or "in F," we mean:
The Naming Convention
The instrument's key tells you what pitch sounds when the player reads C.
- Bb Trumpet: Player reads C → audience hears Bb
- F Horn: Player reads C → audience hears F
- Eb Alto Sax: Player reads C → audience hears Eb
4 The Transposition Chart
Every common transposing instrument, its key, and the interval it transposes by — grouped by instrument key. This is the chart to keep on the stand (or print) until the intervals are automatic.
| Instrument | Key | Sounds... | To Write, Transpose... |
|---|---|---|---|
| B♭ Trumpet | Bb | Major 2nd lower | UP a Major 2nd (whole step) |
| B♭ Clarinet | Bb | Major 2nd lower | UP a Major 2nd |
| Soprano Saxophone | Bb | Major 2nd lower | UP a Major 2nd |
| Tenor Saxophone | Bb | Major 9th lower (octave + M2) | UP a Major 9th |
| Bass Clarinet | Bb | Major 9th lower (octave + M2) | UP a Major 9th |
| E♭ Clarinet | Eb | Minor 3rd higher | DOWN a Minor 3rd |
| Alto Saxophone | Eb | Major 6th lower | UP a Major 6th |
| Baritone Saxophone | Eb | Octave + Major 6th lower | UP an octave + Major 6th |
| French Horn | F | Perfect 5th lower | UP a Perfect 5th |
| English Horn | F | Perfect 5th lower | UP a Perfect 5th |
| Alto Flute | G | Perfect 4th lower | UP a Perfect 4th |
| A Clarinet | A | Minor 3rd lower | UP a Minor 3rd |
| Piccolo | C | Octave higher | DOWN an octave |
| Glockenspiel | C | 2 octaves higher | DOWN 2 octaves |
Rule of thumb: an instrument "in X" sounds X when it reads C, so to write a part, transpose UP by the interval the instrument sounds DOWN. The exceptions — E♭ clarinet, piccolo, and glockenspiel — sound higher than written, so they transpose the other way.
5 Practical Tips
The Up/Down Rule
Writing for a transposing instrument? Transpose UP from concert pitch.
Reading a transposing part at concert pitch? Transpose DOWN.
Don't forget key signatures: when transposing, the key signature changes too. If your concert key is C major and you're writing for Bb trumpet, the trumpet part should be in D major (two sharps).
Where you'll use this in practice:
- Score reading: Look at horn in F part, mentally transpose down a 5th
- Arranging: Write melody in concert key, transpose each part
- Sight transposition: Trumpet players reading horn parts, etc.
Practice free: Transposition Flashcards →
The flashcards drill concert-to-written conversions for every common instrument until the intervals are automatic. Keep the calculator above handy to check your answers while you learn.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
Why do some instruments transpose?
Transposing instruments exist for historical and practical reasons. Within instrument families (like clarinets or saxophones), players can switch between different-sized instruments while using the same fingerings. This makes doubling easier. Additionally, many brass instruments evolved with specific overtone series, making certain keys more natural to write in.
How do I transpose from concert pitch to Bb trumpet?
To write for Bb trumpet, transpose UP a major 2nd (whole step) from concert pitch. If the concert pitch is C, write D for trumpet. If concert pitch is Bb, write C. The trumpet player reads C but the audience hears Bb.
How do I transpose for French horn in F?
To write for F horn, transpose UP a perfect 5th from concert pitch. If concert pitch is C, write G for horn. If concert pitch is F, write C. The horn player reads C but the audience hears F (a fifth lower).
What is the difference between concert pitch and written pitch?
Concert pitch is the actual sounding frequency—what you hear. Written pitch is what appears on the page. For non-transposing instruments (piano, flute, violin), these are the same. For transposing instruments (trumpet, horn, sax), they differ by a specific interval.
Do I transpose up or down when writing for transposing instruments?
When WRITING parts for transposing instruments, transpose UP from concert pitch. When READING transposing parts to find concert pitch, transpose DOWN. An easy way to remember: the written note is always "higher" on the page than the sounding note for common transposing instruments (Bb, F, Eb).
Related tools: transposition flashcards · interval flashcards · key signature flashcards.