Reference
Transposition Chart
What each band instrument’s written notes sound like in concert pitch, and how to convert between them.
Concert pitch to written pitch
| Concert | C | D♭ | D | E♭ | E | F | F♯ | G | A♭ | A | B♭ | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written |
Concert pitch is what a piano or tuner shows. Written is the note this instrument reads to sound it.
All instruments
| Instrument | Key | Written C sounds as | Concert C is written as | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flute | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
| Piccolo | C | C | C | Sounds an octave higher than written |
| Oboe | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
| Clarinet | B♭ | B♭ | D | Sounds a major 2nd lower than written |
| Bass Clarinet | B♭ | B♭ | D | Sounds an octave and a major 2nd lower |
| Bassoon | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
| Alto Sax | E♭ | E♭ | A | Sounds a major 6th lower than written |
| Tenor Sax | B♭ | B♭ | D | Sounds an octave and a major 2nd lower |
| Bari Sax | E♭ | E♭ | A | Sounds an octave and a major 6th lower |
| Soprano Sax | B♭ | B♭ | D | Sounds a major 2nd lower than written |
| Recorder | C | C | C | Sounds an octave higher than written |
| Trumpet | B♭ | B♭ | D | Sounds a major 2nd lower than written |
| Mellophone | F | F | G | Sounds a perfect 5th lower than written |
| French Horn | F | F | G | Sounds a perfect 5th lower than written |
| Trombone | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
| Euphonium | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
| Tuba | C | C | C | Concert pitch: sounds as written |
Why instruments transpose
Many band instruments come in families that share fingerings. A saxophone player can switch between alto, tenor and baritone and read the same written notes with the same fingers; the instrument itself makes the note sound higher or lower.
The catch is that the written note and the sounding note differ. When a director asks for a concert B♭, clarinets and trumpets play their written C, alto and bari saxes play their written G, and horns play their written F.
Octave instruments
Piccolo and soprano recorder sound an octave higher than written. Bass clarinet, tenor sax and bari sax also sound an extra octave lower. The note names still follow the table.