Baritone Saxophone
Quick Facts
- Instrument Key
- E♭
- Transposition Interval
- Major 13th down (octave + major 6th)
- Written C sounds as
- E♭2
- Instrument Family
- woodwind
- Instrument Page
- Baritone Saxophone on Tunable
Written vs. Sounding Pitch — Frequency Table
Each row shows a written pitch (as it appears in the score) and the concert-pitch note that sounds when played. Frequencies are equal temperament at A4=440Hz.
Key Signature Conversion Table
When the conductor names a concert key, this table shows what key signature the Baritone Saxophone player reads. The player reads the written key; the audience hears the sounding key.
Practical Scenarios
Saxophone Quartet: Baritone Bass Line
In a SATB saxophone quartet (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), the baritone reads the same transposition as the alto but sounds an octave lower. If the written part shows a C major scale, the baritone sounds E♭ major starting on E♭2, while the alto sounds E♭ major starting on E♭3.
Concert Band: Doubling the Tuba Line
The director asks the baritone saxophone to double the tuba. Written C4 on baritone sounds E♭2 (77.78 Hz). For concert C3 (130.81 Hz), the player plays written C5 (523.25 Hz written, sounds E♭3 = 155.56 Hz). The register displacement is always an octave + major 6th.
Switching Between Alto and Baritone Saxophone
An alto player doubling on baritone uses the same fingerings. Written C4 on alto sounds E♭3 (155.56 Hz). Written C4 on baritone sounds E♭2 (77.78 Hz) — exactly one octave lower. The key signature on the written part is identical; only the register changes.
Why Does the Baritone Saxophone Transpose?
The baritone saxophone is the largest commonly-used member of the saxophone family. Like the tenor, it is an octave-displaced version of its smaller counterpart (alto), maintaining the E♭ transposition but sounding a full octave lower. Its written range is identical to the alto saxophone on paper, but the baritone sounds in the bass register. In jazz and concert bands, the baritone saxophone anchors the saxophone section, often doubling bass lines. Its considerable size and low register make it one of the most distinctive instruments in any ensemble.
Tune Your Baritone Saxophone with Precision — Get Tunable.
Tunable's chromatic tuner shows exact Hz values in real time. Tune to equal temperament A4=440Hz or explore all 16 temperament systems.
