Baritone Saxophone

Quick Facts

Instrument Key
E-flat
Transposition Interval
Major 13th down (octave + major 6th)
Written C sounds as
Eb2
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.

Written Note Written Hz Sounding Note Sounding Hz
C4 261.63 Hz Eb2 77.78 Hz
D4 293.66 Hz F2 87.31 Hz
E4 329.63 Hz G2 98.00 Hz
F4 349.23 Hz Ab2 103.83 Hz
G4 392.00 Hz Bb2 116.54 Hz
A4 440.00 Hz C3 130.81 Hz
B4 493.88 Hz D3 146.83 Hz
C5 523.25 Hz Eb3 155.56 Hz

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.

Written Key (Player Reads) Sounding Key (Concert Pitch)
A major C major
E major G major
B major D major
F# major A major
C# major E major
Ab major B major
Eb major F# major
D major F major
G major Bb major
C major Eb major
F major Ab major
Bb major Db major

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 Eb major starting on Eb2, while the alto sounds Eb major starting on Eb3.

Concert Band: Doubling the Tuba Line

The director asks the baritone saxophone to double the tuba. Written C4 on baritone sounds Eb2 (77.78 Hz). For concert C3 (130.81 Hz), the player plays written C5 (523.25 Hz written, sounds Eb3 = 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 Eb3 (155.56 Hz). Written C4 on baritone sounds Eb2 (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 Eb 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.

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Related Instruments

Alto Saxophone same key group (Eb) Eb Clarinet same key group (Eb) Tenor Saxophone same family (saxophone)

How to Transpose for E-flat Instruments

All Transposing Instruments · Circle of Fifths · Keys Reference · Temperament Systems