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Topic: transpose tenor to alto sax (Read 14914 times) previous topic - next topic

transpose tenor to alto sax

how many half notes, and in which direction to transpose tenor to alto sax?

thanks for any help

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #1 –
I am also looking for any info I can find on the mechanics of playing glissando on the piano in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis and others in the rock and roll songs.

Any information will be appreciated.

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #2 –
The tenor sax is B Flat, and the alto sax is E Flat, so five steps up.

Can't help with your second question.

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #3 –
Tenor to Alto at the same pitch is 5 semitones DOWN.

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #4 –
Yes, Barry is correct, and it is half steps, not half notes.

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #5 –
;_;

Five steps down would be an F, right?

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #6 –
"Five steps down would be an F, right?"

Five steps down from What?

Look at it this way.
When the piano plays middle C the Tenor plays the D 14 semitones above.
When the piano plays middle C the Alto plays the A 9 semitones above.
All instruments are sounding middle C but the written Tenor note is D and the written Alto note is A (written 5 semitones below the tenor).

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #7 –
I always thought the key was relative to the piano's C...

o_0

Re: transpose tenor to alto sax

Reply #8 –
"relative to C"

Yes it is but it works the other way.
When the Alto plays C the Piano plays the Eb below.
When the Tenor plays C the Piano plays the Bb over an octave below.

The transpositions from written piano to:-
written Alto - up 9 semitones.
written Tenor - up 14 semitones.

From written Alto to written Tenor - up 5 semitones.
From written Tenor to written Alto - down 5 semitones.

The Alto is pitched higher so its written lower.
The Tenor is pitched lower so its written higher.

It's confusing unless you play both.