Understand
Transposition and Concert Pitch
Moving music to another key, and transposing instruments.
Class code
P3ZWWhy transpose
To fit a singer's range, to make a part easier, or because your instrument reads in a different key from the piano.
How to do it
Work out the interval between the old and new key, then move every note by that interval and keep the letter sequence intact. Change the key signature once rather than writing accidentals everywhere.
Transposing instruments
Written pitch and the pitch you hear are not always the same.
- B flat trumpet and clarinet sound a tone lower than written
- E flat alto saxophone sounds a major 6th lower than written
- B flat tenor saxophone sounds a major 9th lower than written
- F horn sounds a perfect 5th lower than written
Try it