![]() This means the tenor sax plays a Bb concert pitch when it reads a C. The tenor saxophone transposition works in the key of Bb. Method #2 will have you go up a major sixth.Įither way, we end up with the same note.įor myself, I prefer to use a minor third because it keeps everything the same both ways. Method #1 will have you go down a minor third. Imagine you need to play a D concert pitch. Reverse the steps and go down a minor third (three half steps). Įither option works, and it really depends on what you find the easiest.Sometimes your director or someone will mention they want you to play a note, but they say concert pitch music instead of your transposed one. Let’s look at another example now, imagine you’re reading a written F. We need to go up a minor third or three half steps. Most of the time, you’ll need to think about switching from your written notes to concert pitch, and as mentioned above, the easiest way to do this is to go up a minor third.Ī minor third is made of three half-steps or semi-tones.įor example, let’s say we are reading a written E note. To switch from written to concert pitch, move up a minor third (written G moves up to a concert Bb). This means the alto sax plays an Eb concert pitch when it reads a C. The alto saxophone transposition works in the key of Eb. They tend to talk in terms of concert pitch music because it’s easier for them to say it once rather than say it for each transposing and non-transposing instrument.Īlso, in talking with the other instruments, there will be confusion between yours and some others if you can’t all talk about the concert pitch. Non-transposing instruments always read the pitches that actually come out.Īnother word for non-transposing instruments is concert pitch instruments.Īs you get better at the saxophone, you’ll need to practice knowing what your notes are in concert pitch as well as your written pitch (what you see on the staff).ĭirectors won’t always think to tell you what your written pitch is when they’re rehearsing a band, so if you don’t know how to transpose yourself, you may end up confused a lot. ![]() Transposing instruments, like the saxophones, read different notes than what they sound. Most instruments are split into two groups: The tenor saxophone plays a C in order to tune a Bb. Just know that when you tune an alto saxophone, you play your G, and your tuner shows a Bb. This makes it easier to read the notes and switch between the different types of saxophones.įor most beginner players, you won’t need to know anything about this. Saxophone transposition refers to how when you read sheet music for the sax and play a note it sounds like a different pitch in actuality (called concert pitch). Saxes can play in any key the fingerings just look different from one to another. Note: This does not refer to the key signature. Hey! If you found this information helpful, why not share a link to this article on your school website, with your friends, or with your colleagues? ![]() Concert Pitch (Sounding Pitch) Key of Eb Written Pitch (Alto, Bari) Key of Bb Written Pitch (Soprano, Tenor) C A D C#, Db A#, Bb D#, Eb D B E D#, Eb C F E C#, Db F#, Gb F D G F#, Gb D#, Eb G#, Ab G E A G#, Ab F A#, Bb A F#, Gb B A#, Bb G C B G#, Ab C#, Db Use this to check how the pitches are related right away and reference the later sections if you want more details and information. Can A Saxophone Play In Any Key? Saxophone Transposition Chartīefore we get into the details on each instrument and how transposing the saxophone works, we’ll give you what you came from right off the bat: the transposition chart for saxophones.
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