Convert music between concert pitch and transposing instruments such as B♭ trumpet and clarinet, E♭ alto and baritone sax, F horn and A clarinet, in either direction. Get the new key with its key signature and transpose notes or chord symbols in one step.
Last updated:
Separate with spaces, commas or bars. Notes with octaves (C4) or chord symbols (Gm7, F/A, Bb7) both work; middle C = C4.
Enter your values to see the result.
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the Transposing Instrument Calculator
Choose the instrument the music is written for (Concert pitch for piano or C parts).
Choose the instrument that will play it.
Select the key and whether it is major or minor.
Paste notes or chord symbols to transpose them too (optional).
Read the new key and notes, or use the table for every key.
Transposition chart
Instrument
Sounds
To write the part from concert pitch
Concert C is written
Key signature change
B♭ trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax
a major 2nd lower
up a major 2nd
D
+2 sharps / −2 flats
B♭ tenor sax, bass clarinet
a major 9th lower
up a major 9th
D (an octave higher)
+2 sharps / −2 flats
E♭ alto sax, alto clarinet
a major 6th lower
up a major 6th
A
+3 sharps / −3 flats
E♭ baritone sax
an octave + major 6th lower
up a major 13th
A (an octave higher)
+3 sharps / −3 flats
F horn, English horn
a perfect 5th lower
up a perfect 5th
G
+1 sharp / −1 flat
A clarinet
a minor 3rd lower
up a minor 3rd
E♭
+3 flats / −3 sharps
E♭ clarinet, E♭ trumpet
a minor 3rd higher
down a minor 3rd
A
+3 sharps / −3 flats
Guitar, bass guitar
an octave lower
up an octave
C
no change
How it works
Each transposing instrument has a fixed interval between the written note and the sounding note. To go from concert pitch to a written part, move every note by that interval in the opposite direction; to read a written part in concert pitch, move it the same way the instrument sounds. Going from one transposing instrument to another combines the two: a B♭ trumpet part played on E♭ alto sax moves up a perfect fifth (−M2 + M6 = P5 up).
The calculator moves letter names and semitones separately, so a major second above E♭ is always F (never E♯) and above B is C♯ (never D♭). Key signatures come from the circle of fifths: moving a key up a perfect fifth adds one sharp (or removes one flat).
Frequently asked questions
How do I transpose concert pitch to B♭ trumpet or clarinet?
Write the part a major second (two semitones) higher. Concert B♭ becomes C for the trumpet and the key signature gains two sharps or loses two flats: concert E♭ major (3 flats) becomes F major (1 flat).
How do I transpose for alto saxophone?
The E♭ alto sax sounds a major sixth lower than written, so write its part a major sixth higher (or a minor third lower, ignoring octave). Concert C becomes A; concert B♭ major becomes G major.
What about tenor saxophone?
The B♭ tenor sax sounds a major ninth (an octave plus a major second) lower than written. Use the same note names as for B♭ trumpet, written an octave higher: concert B♭3 is written C5.
How does French horn transposition work?
The horn in F sounds a perfect fifth lower than written, so parts are written a perfect fifth higher. Concert F becomes C and concert B♭ major becomes F major.
Why is it called concert pitch?
Concert pitch is the actual sounding pitch, the one a piano plays. Transposing instruments read written notes that sound at a different pitch so that the same fingerings work across family members, such as the different sizes of saxophone or clarinet.
Why did the calculator change C♯ major to D♭ major?
Some transpositions produce keys with 7 or more sharps or flats. These are respelled to the enharmonic key with fewer accidentals, which is what most arrangers use, and the notes are respelled to match.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.