Translate music from alto sax to flute?

Question

Hi . . I am trying to transpose music so that my son can play the alto sax and I can play my flute. . . he can play the original tune so I need to transpose down for the flute . . .it starts in B so I need to know the equivalent note on the flute for an alto sax b . . i have tried just figuring it out but it doesn't seem to work . . thanks for any help . . theresa

Answer 1

Ok- let’s see if I can help you out…

A sax is usually the instrument that transposes… the alto sax is in Eb, and the flute is in C (like the piano and guitar). When you both play a “C” for your instrument, the flute SOUNDS a “C”, and the sax SOUNDS an “Eb”.  To fix this, the sax would play a minor third (3 half steps) down.  We (band people) call this Concert pitch.  So if the director says “Play Bb Concert pitch”, anyone with a transposing instrument would adjust their note accordingly (there are also instruments in Bb and F, for example) to play the same note.

Now, with what you are trying to do, you need to go the opposite way… you need to go UP a minor 3rd (3 half steps).  So yes, you are correct- his “B” is your “D”… “B” to “C” (1), “C” to “C#” (2), “C#” to “D” (3).  

Do realize though, that you will be in unison, but in octaves.  So if he is playing a “B” that is the middle of the staff, you will be playing your “D” 2 ledger lines above the staff.

The “actual” way that you would transpose to meet his note would be to go down a Major 6th (a minor 3rd and Major 6th are the same interval).  If you don’t mind playing in octaves, don’t worry about it.  If you want “true” unison, you could also think UP a minor 3rd, and then play an octave lower.

So the first 3 notes are:

HE plays “B” “D” “E”… YOU play “D” “F” “G”

I hope this helps you out!  And a word of advice… I know your son probably just started on sax, but it is never too early to teach him theory (or too late for you to catch some too! lol).  As he gets older, and especially if he plays in a jazz band, he will need to understand the transposition and how chords work.  Maybe you two could take turns trying to transpose… even if you mess it up, it can be great fun laughing and playing together!

Good Luck to both of you, and have fun!

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.

So basically down three half steps from E flat to C.

You can use this to transpose things quickly:

http://www.simusic.com/transpose.html

However, its good to know what key the original music is in.

Hope that helps.

Edit: The girl above me is slightly wrong, its most definitely an E flat instrument

Edit: Just use the website I gave you. On the website. Type in the notes B D E in the website. and then set the options so you are transposing 3 half steps up from flute to alto sax.

or if you want to think about it:

B to B# (one half step)

B# is enharmonic (the same pitch as) to C

so C to C# (another half step)

C# to D (third half step)

tadah! so its D

Answer 3

The term for what you're trying to do is "transpose".

Flutes are C instruments, Alto Saxophones are E instruments. So if it starts in B for alto sax, the same note for flute is a G.