Funadvice Logo
Post
More Music Questions

Flute to alto sax

If you have a piece of flute music in F major what do you transpose it to for alto sax?

Become an Expert →
Answer #1

well i play trumpet but i can play flute and sax music but it just sounds really high and since my mom plays flute and i used to play sax ive comparred them and the notes are about the same if i remember right

Answer #2

Alto sax is an Eb instrument. In other words when an Alto sax sees a C they play Eb. In the case of the alto it is the Eb below the note on the treble clef.

When a flute sees a C they play C.

C is a Major 6th higher than Eb so to play flute music on alto sax you have to transpose up a Major 6th. e.g. when you see a C you will play an A. The piece is in F Major so it ends up in D Major. A trick to pick your keys for this transposition is to subtract flats or add sharps to the key signature 3 times. F Maj. has one flat so subtract that flat and add two sharps leaving you in D Maj. There are some accidentals that change. B natural in the key of F becomes G# in the key of D. When you are sight transposing you will sometimes have to mentally change naturals to sharps to get the right pitch; this is often what tripped me up when I was sight transposing.

Answer #3

I switched from French Horn to Alto Sax, so if that is possible I’m sure you can do anything.

More Like This
Advisor

Music

Music production, Music theory, Music education