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Transposing Woodwinds, Horns and Trumpets
User Tip #: 80 Offered By: D.G. Catt Last Modified: N/A

Using this table, it is easy to see how much a stave has to be transposed when changing from one key to another. For eaxmple, Horn in E to Horn in G is -8 to -5 = up 3. Clarinet in A to Clarinet in C is -3 to 0 = up 3.

Instrument	Sounds	tr	Alt	tr
Piccolo	Sounds 8va
Double Bass/Bassoon	Sounds 8vb
Alto Flute in G	C sounds G below	-5
Cor Anglais	C sounds F below	-7
Clarinet in Bb	C sounds Bb below	-2	Bass Clarinet 8vb	-14
Clarinet in A	C sounds A below	-3
Clarinet in Eb	C sounds Eb above	+3	Bass Clarinet 8vb	-9
Clarinet in D	C sounds D above	+2
Alto Saxophone in Eb	C sounds Eb below	-9
Tenor Saxophone in Bb	C sounds Bb and 8vb	-14
Horn in A	C sounds A below	-3	Trumpet A below	-3
Alto Horn in Bb	C sounds Bb below	-2	Trumpet Bb below	-2
Basso Horn in Bb	C sounds Bb 8vb	-14
Horn in C	C sounds 8vb
Horn in D	C sounds D below	-10	Trumpet D above	+2
Horn in Eb	C sounds Eb below	-9	Trumpet Eb above	+3
Horn in E	C sounds E below	-8	Trumpet E above	+4
Horn in F	C sounds F below	-7	Trumpet F above	+5
Horn in G	C sounds G below	-5	Trumpet G above	+7