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An Explanation of Transposition in Music

Not all musical instruments play in the same key. That means that when musicians play together, some of the instruments will need to play music that has been transposed to match their key. Many instruments produce pitches in “concert key” which is the standard we use for playing music. When concert key instruments are playing together, no transposition is necessary. Here is a list of some of the instruments that play in concert key: piano, guitar, bass, cello, viola, violin, flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, accordion, harmonica, and pitched percussion like marimba and xylophone.

Instruments that do not play in concert key include clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. The clarinet, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, and trumpet are all B flat instruments, meaning that when they play their written note C, a concert B flat is produced. Therefore, if a clarinet player is playing Jingle Bells in their key of C, the piano or any other concert pitch instrument will need to play in the key of B flat. See the chart below for a list of which keys to use for B flat instruments.

The alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, and E flat clarinet all play in the key of E flat. That means that when they play their written note C, a concert E flat is produced. See the chart below for all transpositions for E flat instruments.

The French horn in F produces a Concert B flat when it plays its written F. See the chart below for all transpositions for French horn in F.

B flat transposition chart

Use this chart to determine which keys to use when B flat instruments are playing with Concert pitch instruments.

Written note for B flat instruments = The concert pitch it produces
C = B flat
C sharp = B
D = C
E flat = D flat (C sharp)
E = D
F = E flat
F sharp = E
G = F
G sharp or A flat = F sharp
A = G
B flat = A flat
B = A

E flat transposition chart

Use this chart to determine which keys to use when E flat instruments are playing with Concert pitch instruments.

Written note for E flat instruments = The concert pitch it produces
C = E flat
C sharp = E
D = F
E flat = G flat (F sharp)
E = G
F = A flat
F sharp = A
G = B flat
G sharp or A flat = B
A = C
B flat = D flat (C sharp)
B = D

B flat to E flat transposition chart

Use this chart to determine which keys to use when B flat instruments are playing with E flat instruments.

Written note for B flat instruments = Written note for E flat instruments
C = G
C sharp = G sharp
D = A
E flat = B flat
E = B
F = C
F sharp = C sharp
G = D
G sharp or A flat = D sharp or E flat
A = E
B flat = F
B = F sharp

French horn in F transposition chart

Use this chart to determine which keys to use when French horn in F is playing with Concert pitch instruments.

Written note for French horn in F = The concert pitch it produces
C = F
C sharp = F sharp
D = G
E flat = A flat
E = A
F = B flat
F sharp = B
G = C
G sharp or A flat = C sharp or D flat
A = D
B flat = E flat
B = E