Understanding transposition –
- Instrument Name: The name an instrument is given i.e. the Bb Clarinet, indicates the pitch which sounds when the instrument plays a written “C”. The Bb Clarinet, therefore, “sounds” one step below the written note “C”, or a “Bb”.
- Transposing from a C part: To transpose music written for C instruments, like a piano, guitar or flute, to be played by a Bb instrument, you would need to compensate for the fact that the sounding note is one step below the written note. You would need to transpose the music up one whole step. Another example is transposing for the Alto flute which is pitched in G. It sounds a perfect 4th below the written pitch. To transpose a C flute part to be played by the Alto flute, you would need to transpose it up a perfect 4th. A written F will sound a C if played on an Alto flute.
- Clef: Which clef does an instrument read, treble clef or bass clef? Be sure you place your transposition on the correct clef.
- Fingering Range: The C Flute cannot play lower then B below middle C. You cannot therefore write a Bb below middle C in their part. You would need to write a Bb on the staff instead. The piccolo is a C instrument which reads the treble clef. The piccolo does not have the capability to play below a D above middle C. Each instrument has its own capability of reading or playing certain notes.
- Sounding Range: Here is another consideration. The Bb Tenor Saxophone reads treble clef, but a middle C will sound the Bb on the second line of the bass clef. The piccolo reads treble clef but sounds one octave higher than the written note. Each instrument sounds in a certain range.
- Transposing from a non-C instrument part: If you need to transpose a Bb Clarinet part to be played on an Alto Flute in G for example, you would first remember that the Alto Flute sounds a perfect 4th below its written pitch and the Bb Clarinet one step below. [A written F sounds an Eb on the Bb Clarinet and a written F sounds C on an Alto Flute.] The sounding difference is a minor 3rd. Transpose your Bb Clarinet part up a minor 3rd for the Alto Flute so it will sound in the same range. This minor 3rd is the difference between one step and a perfect 4th . Or, to look at a different way, 5 – half steps minus 2 – half steps = 3 ½ – half steps . So if you were transposing from an Alto flute part to a Bb clarinet part you would transpose down 3 half steps or a minor 3rd.
- Key Signature Change: When you are transposing how do you determine what the new key signature will be? If you are transposing up one step as in transposing a C part for a Bb instrument, you will also change the name of your key signature up one step. If the C part is in F Major, the Bb part will be written in G Major.
SUMMARY:
- The instrument name indicates the interval which it sounds below the written pitch.
- Your transpositions will be up the named interval. [Depending on the range of the instrument]
- Your Key Signature will change the same interval up from the original key.
- Note that a pitch may sound an octave lower or higher than the original depending on the instrument and you also may find you’ll need to change clefs.
Website for additional information:
http://www.musicnotes.com/blog/2014/08/08/how-to-transpose-music/
Transposition Chart by Instrument Key
http://fluteinfo.com/Chart/transposing.html
Non-transposing Instruments
| Instrument | Interval of Transposition | Clef(s) |
| Violin | Concert Pitch | Treble |
| Viola | Concert Pitch | Alto/Treble |
| Cello | Concert Pitch | Bass |
| Harp | Concert Pitch | Grand Staff |
| Flute | Concert Pitch | Treble |
| Oboe (Oboes) | Concert Pitch | Treble |
| Bassoon | Concert Pitch | Bass |
| Trombone | Concert Pitch | Bass |
| Bass Trombone | Concert Pitch | Bass/Tenor |
| Tuba | Concert Pitch | Bass |
| Marimba | Concert Pitch | Treble |
| Vibraphone | Concert Pitch | Treble |
| Timpani | Concert Pitch | Bass |
| Piano | Concert Pitch | Grand Staff |
| Organ | Concert Pitch | Grand Staff |
| Harpsichord | Concert Pitch | Grand Staff |
Transposing Instruments
| Instrument | Interval of Transposition | Clef(s) |
| Double Bass | Sounds one octave lower than written | Bass |
| Guitar | Sounds one octave lower than written | Treble |
| Piccolo | Sounds one octave higher than written | Treble |
| Alto Flute | Sounds one perfect 4th lower than written | Treble |
| English Horn | Sounds one perfect 5th lower than written | Treble |
| Clarinet in Bb | Sounds one Major 2nd lower than written | Treble |
| Clarinet in A | Sounds one minor 3rd lower than written | Treble |
| Clarinet in Eb | Sounds one Major 6th lower than written | Treble |
| Bass Clarinet in Bb | Sounds one Major 9th lower than written | Bass |
| Contrabassoon | Sounds one octave lower than written | Bass |
| Soprano Sax in Bb | Sounds one Major 2nd lower than written | Treble |
| Alto Sax in Eb | Sounds one Major 6th lower than written | Treble |
| Tenor Sax in Bb | Sounds one Major 9th lower than written | Treble |
| Baritone Sax in Eb | Sounds one octave + one Major 6th lower than written | Treble |
| French Horn | Sounds one Perfect 5th lower than written | Treble |
| Trumpet in Bb | Sounds one Major 2nd lower than written | Treble |
| Glockenspiel | Sounds two octaves higher than written | Treble |
| Xylophone | Sounds one octave higher than written | Treble |
| Celesta | Sounds one octave higher than written | Grand Staff |