Reading and Writing Music for Transposing Instruments

Transposing Instruments Basics

What note do we hear if we ask a transposing instrument to play a C? That depends on the instrument. In most cases the name of the instrument gives us the answer. For example, we a hear a Bb when a clarinet in Bb plays a C. In the case of a clarinet in A we would hear an A.

In the next table you can see the most common transposing instruments. In the 2^nd column we show the written note while in the 3^rd column you can see the note that we would hear when that note is played. In the Transposition column you can see the transposing interval. Note that it can be ascending or descending depending on the instrument.

Instrument	Written Note	Real Note	Transposition
Alto Flute (G)			Perfect 4th Descending
English Horn			Perfect 5th Descending
Clarinet in Bb			Major 2nd Descending
Clarinet in A			Minor 3rd Descending
Clarinet in Eb			Minor 3rd Ascending
Bass Clarinet (Bb)			Major 9th Descending
Soprano Saxophone (Bb)			Major 2nd Descending
Alto Saxophone (Eb)			Major 6th Descending
Tenor Saxophone (Bb)			Major 9th Descending
Baritone Saxophone (Eb)			Major 6th + 1 octave Descending
Trumpet in Bb			Major 2nd Descending
Horn in F			Perfect 5th Descending