Transposing Instruments

A transposing instrument is one where the written pitch differs from the sounding pitch. When a B-flat clarinet player reads a written C and plays it, the note that sounds is a B-flat — a major second lower. This difference requires conductors, arrangers, and ensemble players to account for each instrument's transposition interval when reading from concert pitch scores or when writing parts for transposing instruments.

Key-Transposing Instruments

B-flat Clarinet Transposition: B-flat — sounds M2 lower B-flat Trumpet Transposition: B-flat — sounds M2 lower B-flat Soprano Sax Transposition: B-flat — sounds M2 lower B-flat Tenor Sax Transposition: B-flat — sounds M9 lower E-flat Alto Sax Transposition: E-flat — sounds M6 lower E-flat Baritone Sax Transposition: E-flat — sounds M13 lower E-flat Clarinet Transposition: E-flat — sounds m3 higher A Clarinet Transposition: A — sounds m3 lower French Horn (F) Transposition: F — sounds P5 lower English Horn Transposition: F — sounds P5 lower Alto Flute Transposition: G — sounds P4 lower

Octave-Transposing Instruments

These instruments sound one octave away from written pitch but remain in the same key — no key transposition is required, only an octave shift.

Piccolo Transposition: C (8va up) — sounds octave higher Double Bass Transposition: C (8vb down) — sounds octave lower Guitar Transposition: C (8vb down) — sounds octave lower

How to Transpose

Step-by-step transposition guides by instrument family — how to convert concert pitch to written pitch and vice versa for each transposing key.

B-flat Instruments E-flat Instruments F Instruments A Clarinet Octave-Transposing Instruments

Related References

Circle of Fifths Key Signatures Temperaments Note Frequencies Theory Hub