How to Transpose – a Guide for Saxophones

In case your are not 100% sure how transposition works, I’ve put together this concise saxophone transposition guide to clear things up.

Watch the video below:

YouTube video

Click here to get a downloadable pdf of this guide.

The saxophone is a transposing instrument. 

This means that notes played on a saxophone will sound different from a note of the same name played on another instrument such as the piano or guitar. 

We refer to those instruments that don’t transpose as being in “Concert” key or the key of C.

B-flat instruments

*Tenor and soprano saxophones are in the key of B-flat.

This means that when you play the note C on a tenor or soprano saxophone, the note that is heard is actually a B-flat.    

transposing-guide-bb
Played note C                     –                     Heard note Bb

*tenor saxophones sound an octave lower than shown in the examples. The examples reflect how saxophone players typically visualize and think about transposing.

So if you are playing along with other musicians or a backing track, and they are in the key of B-flat, you will want to play in the key of C on your tenor or soprano saxophone.

The interval between the note or key that you play in (on a transposing instrument) and the actual note or key being heard (concert key) is constant. 

Important:

For any B-flat instrument, you want to be playing notes that are 1 whole step (or 2 half steps) above the concert or “heard” note.

In the following example, the music is in the key of G.

transposing-guide-example-g
Concert Key of G

So on our B-flat saxophone we need to transpose up a whole step putting us in the key of A on our instrument.

transposing-guide-example-a
Transposed Key of A

E-flat Instruments

*Alto and baritone saxophones are in the key of E-flat

This means that when you play a C on your alto or baritone saxophone the note that is heard is actually an E-flat.    

transposing-guide
Played Note                     –                     Heard Note

*alto saxophones sound an octave lower than shown in the examples. Baritone saxophones sound 2 octaves lower. The examples reflect how saxophone players typically visualize and think about transposing.

Important:

For any E-flat instrument, you want to be playing notes that are a minor 3rd (or 3 half steps) below the concert or “heard” note.

In this example the music is in the key of G.

transposing-guide-example-g
Concert Key of G

So on our saxophone which is in the key of E-flat we need to transpose down a minor third which would put us in the key of E on our instrument.

transposing-guide-example-concert
Transposed Key of E

Essential for all saxophone players

As saxophone players, we need to be able to calculate this transposition instantly so that we can play with other instruments that are in concert key like piano and guitar.

For example, if you are playing with a group and they tell you the next song is Stand By Me in the key of A, you will need to transpose. 

Can you do it in your head right now?

Saxophone Transposing Chart

The chart below represents each of the 12 notes or keys. They are arranged chromatically in a circle like a clock. Each hour position ascends a half-step as we progress clockwise and descends a half step in the counter-clockwise direction.

Use this chart as a guide to transposing on your saxophone. If you play a B-flat instrument like tenor or soprano saxophone, you will need to go up clockwise 2 positions from the “Concert” key or note.

Saxophone Transposition Chart
Saxophone Transposition Chart

Transposition Quiz:

1. If the Concert key if F, what key will you be in if you play tenor saxophone? alto saxophone?

2. If the Concert key is Ab, what key will you be in if you play the baritone saxophone? soprano saxophone?

Interested in more practice tips? Check out “How to Play Altissimo on the Saxophone.” 

Also be sure to follow BetterSax on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date with us for news, giveaways, and other saxophone tips and tricks.

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31 Comments

Gerard Smith says:

I’ve tried several times to make sense of the circle of fifths and how to transpose properly and quickly, but never had much success, it always seemed complicated.

After reading you Saxophone Transposition Guide, I had it all figured out in five minutes. You’ve made it Incredibly simple and it made sense straight away.

Thank you, great guide to read.
Gerard.

Jay Metcalf says:

Gerard,
I’m glad to hear that. These things always seem complicated for a while until they don’t. I think I had someone explain it to me that way a long time ago and it was then clear.
Jay

Victor Hernandez says:

Thank you for your time Jay. Could you clarify how to transpose Minor Keys on the Alto Sax. I know on Major keys you go 3 half steps down, but when the Key is a Minor Key how do you do it. i.e, if you are in Concert Key G minor, do you count 3 half steps to play the E minor scale on the Sax which is actually the G major scale, or do you just use the relative Major of G minor which is Bb and then count down 3 half steps which take you back to G. Could you explain. Thank you again.

Jay Metcalf says:

Victor,
Transposition for alto sax or any instrument is constant. It never changes regardless of minor or major keys. You always transpose the interval of a major 6th up (minor 3rd down). So if the key is G minor concert, you will be playing in E minor on the alto saxophone.

Emy says:

am improving now with this. thanks

George says:

This is awesome! you are indeed a great tutor.

Pam says:

IN TRANSPOSING ON THE ALTO SAX DO YOU GO 6 UP OR 3 DOWN? I PLAY ALTO SAX AND ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD IT WAS 6 UP WHICH IN TRANSPOSING WILL PUT YOU USING THE OK KEY TO GO UP ON D. IF I GO 3 DOWN i WOULD BE GOING UP USING THE OCTAVE KEY LESS OFTEN. I WANT TO PLAY IN CHURCH AND i GIVEN THE KEY THEY PLAY IT IN THEN I HAVE TO TRANSPOSE. APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.

Jay Metcalf says:

Pam,
It is officially a major 6th up. However it is generally much easier to think of a minor 3rd down (interval inversion) when transposing on sight. You will then make the octave adjustment on your saxophone as necessary.

Dawn says:

Pam, I play on a worship team too! Cool! I always transpose down. It is easier and quicker, especially because the people playing in the concert key do not accommodate for us that have to transpose very well.

RickeyG says:

What helps me is to think of this:
For B-flat horns, add 2 sharps or take away 2 flats from the key signature.
For E-flat horns, add 3 sharps or take away 3 flats.

Joel says:

JAY,
IN MY QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE ON SAXOPHONE TRANSPOSITION, I FOUND THIS PIECE. AS A BEGINNER, IT SOUNDS SO CLEAR AND WILL SURELY HELP ME GREATLY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.

………………
JOEL

Trey says:

That transposing chart is printed out and on my wall, thanks.

Eugene downs says:

This is good transpose

Geary Duncan says:

I’m wondering if you could recommend a good “low end” sax?

Jay Metcalf says:

Here you go…
https://youtu.be/m3tPErM0P6o

Don says:

Looking forward to your lessons.

rohit aggarwal says:

thank you bettersax for giving me wonderful information

Jay Metcalf says:

you are welcome!

Brian says:

Hi jay.only been playing a few weeks and your tuition is Mint.my friend.Many thanks. Brian

Jay Metcalf says:

Thank you!

Brian says:

I’ve now taken up a course of lessons at the Sage Gateshead.(best music venue in uk)and after taking all your tips and lessons in I feel a lot more confident and at ease being in a class full of younger students.(I’m 65)but who cares I can now play as gold as any of them by cheers my friend. Brian.

Brian says:

What are the rules for transposing from one alto to another.eg.if the key is A and you ne
ed to transpose to D can you explain please.Thank you. Brian

Saxophone Fingerings and First Notes | Beginner/Refresher Course Lesson 4 – Better Sax says:

[…] That’s because the saxophone is a transposing instrument.  […]

Nico says:

Jay,
I am trying to download the pdf of the transposing but I get directed to sign up again as beginner/intermediate/pro.
I am already a subscriber tho and I don’t think I have to go through all this again to download the pdf. Can you please let me know how to bypass it?

Jay Metcalf says:

If you are a member and have purchased a course at some point, all the free resources are available to you in the members area. If you have signed up for the Bettersax Shed you were sent a link to all of those downloads and free lessons, search your inbox for it.

HORACIO PONGOLOLA says:

wow what an amazing way of explaning this matter…
It makes sense now,

thank you

Robert Mariani says:

Transposing from guitar or piano (concert C) sheet music –> tenor, or –> to alto sax, is two-thirds of the question. Your presentation works great for that.
What about transposing alto sax sheet music (written for Eb instrument) –> tenor sheet music (in my head or on paper), in the event I have a backing track and sheet music for alto, but I want to play it with a tenor sax? If I follow your guide, is that equivalent to saying FIRST) TRANSPOSE Alto sheet music BACK TO concert C by first going the opposite direction of your illustration, that is, CLOCKWISE 3 half-steps, and then SECOND) going from concert C sheet music to TENOR sheet music, go 2 half-steps in the usual direction, that is, clockwise, which is a total of 5 half-steps clockwise. Then Alto (Eb) sheet music that is scored in the key of C would be transposed to tenor sax (Bb) as key of F, correct? (Always 5 half-steps clockwise for Eb to Bb)

Robert Mariani says:

Jay, hi. You have 2/3 of the question carefully explained. What if I have sheet music for an alto sax (with a backing track) and want to transpose it to tenor? According to circle of 5ths, I can transpose the alto sax sheet music back to concert C (CLOCKWISE now in this case, 3 half steps), and then transpose the concert C to tenor (2 half steps clockwise, or 1 whole step), which is a total of 5 half-steps when transposing alto sax sheet music to tenor sax sheet music. So then Alto sax sheet music in the key of C would be transposed to tenor sax in the key of F, correct?

Jay Metcalf says:

Key of C for alto is Concert Eb which is indeed F for tenor.

Smitty says:

Love the web site and I am glad I joined. I like new changes. Easier is always good. Quick question. Do you have a transposition chart?? I have a A minor tune and I am trying to figure what I need to play my Alto in. I am guessing F#? Thanks

DANIEL NOWOTARSKI says:

YOU ALWAYS COME UP WITH HELPFUL WAYS TO IMPROVE SAX PLAYING. I LIKE THE IDEA YOU SUGGESTED PREVIOUSLY OF CLOSING YOU EYES AND VISUALIZING THE FINGERING OF SCALES. I’M TRYING THIS METHOD ON NEW SONGS I’M LEARNING. THANK YOU

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