Transposing Instruments

Using the Concert key Sheet music - Transposition Table


Saxophones, trumpets and clarinets are transposing instruments.
Their notes do not match the pitches of the same notes on Concert key instruments like the piano, guitar, flute or violin.

  • The note C played for example on a trumpet, a clarinet, a tenor sax or a soprano sax sounds like a Bb on the piano. These instruments are therefore called Bb instruments.

  • The note C played on a alto sax or a baritone sax on the other hand sounds like an Eb on the piano. These instruments are therefore called Eb instruments.

To match the same pitches of a piano these instruments have to play in a different key.
The music for all songs in this course are written in three different keys so that all three types of instruments can play together.


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Using the Concert key Sheet music

If you play the trumpet or sax just by yourself you can also use the Concert keys notation for a song (C for Triad Blues) by using the play-a-long track that matches the pitch of your instrument.
For example :

Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, soprano sax and tenor sax)

Use the F Blues Midi file for your Blues in G

Use the Bb Blues Midi file for your Blues in C

Use the Eb Blues Midi file for your Blues in F


Eb instruments (alto sax and baritone sax)

Use the Bb Blues Midi file for your Blues in G

Use the Eb Blues Midi file for your Blues in C

Use the Ab Blues Midi file for your Blues in F

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Transposition Table

Here is a Transposition Table with which you can transpose notes, chords and key signatures quickly from one instrument to another.

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Copyright © 2011 Michael Furstner (
Jazclass). All rights reserved.