How many semitones do I have to transpose for when I am writing music for an Eb alto saxophone?

Question

If I am writing a piece of music for an Eb alto sax and I want it to play a concert B, what do I have to write it as. Is it an F# 8 semitones above the concert B?

Answer 1

A concert B would be a G# on the Eb Alto Sax. If it is B on the middle of the staff in treble clef, then it would be G# above the staff for Alto Sax. So you transpose up a minor 6th (9 semitones). I usually think down a minor third and up an octave, it makes it a bit easier for me.



Another way to think of it is to add 3 sharps or minus 3 flats for the Alto. C (no sharps) transposes to A (3 sharps), F (one flat) transposes to D (2 sharps), etc.

Answer 2

Just remember this,



Written C sounds *X*, so whatever the note your instrument transposes to, if its got a C written, it will sound however many semitones above or below that. So your sax will play a C as an Eb (3 semitones) above, meaning if you want to hear a C, you have to write 3 semitones below, ie write an A. Thus you want to hear a B, write a G#. I am so sure this is correct, just give it a try.

Answer 3

If the saxophone player plays a C note, you hear an Eb. Therefore if you wrote a piece in Eb you would need to transpose to C for the sax player. If you wrote in B the sax player would need to play in D.Try writing out the scales of C and Eb one above the other and you will see the necessary transposition for each note.

Answer 4

The alto sax is a transposing tool in Eb, as you already probably comprehend. this suggests that it truly is a minor 0.33, or 3 'a million/2-steps'(semitones), above stay overall performance Pitch. additionally you will exchange the foremost signature so in the adventure that your flute track is in key of F with one flat(Bb), you are able to exchange the foremost to D by using including 3 sharps, Bb could bypass to B organic, F could bypass to F# and C could bypass to C#. So in case you decide directly to play track in C on an Eb tool you bypass down 3 semitones. So if there develop right into a C written on the track for C Flute, you're able to try this: C right down to B is one semitone B right down to Bb is one semitone Bb right down to A is one semitone C right down to A is 3 semitones So in case you had to play a C written on the right track for C flute you are able to play an A. contraptions in Eb: Soprano Clarinet in Eb Alto Clarinet in Eb Contra Alto Clarinet in Eb Sub Contra Alto Clarinet in Eb Soprillo Saxophone in Eb Alto Saxophone in Eb Baritone Saxophone in Eb Contrabass Saxophone in Eb Transposition: C to Eb A...........F#/Gb A#/Bb....G B/Cb......G#/Ab B#/C......A C#/Db....A#/Bb D...........B/Cb D#/Eb....B#/C E/facebook......C#/Db E#/F......D F#/Gb....D#/Eb G...........E/facebook G#/Ab....E#/F Bb contraptions are a minor seventh above stay overall performance pitch so 10 semitones. A shortcut could be to bypass any incorrect way and picture of taking place 2 semitones. contraptions in Bb: Soprano Clarinet in Bb Bass Clarinet in Bb Contra Bass Clarinet in Bb Sub Contra Bass Clarinet in Bb Soprillo Saxophone in Bb Soprano Saxophone in Bb Tenor Saxophone in Bb Bass Saxophone in Bb Transposition: C to Bb A...........B/Cb A#/Bb....B#/C B/Cb......C#/Db B#/C......D C#/Db....D#/Eb D...........E/facebook D#/Eb....E#/F E/facebook......F#/Gb E#/F......G F#/Gb....G#/Ab G...........A G#/Ab....A#/Bb