How do you convert music so an alto saxophone can play it?

I am starting to play in the orchestra at my church and I need to know what to convert the music to so I can play my alto saxophone. Please let me know!!!

If you're reading the piano chart, you have to play a Major 6th higher.

This is the equivalent of playing 2 steps lower, and putting the octave key on. Two steps lower means pretending the note is on the next line down if it's on a line, or the next space down if it's on a space.

You also have to change key signatures. Subtract 3 flats from the piano key signature if it's in flats, or as is more likely, add 3 sharps if it's a sharp key signature.

Transposition is a valuable skill that you should first practise slowly on easy music. You will get it right if you're careful, and after a short time it will be almost as easy as reading music normally. In the meantime, you may want to write the tune out. As I said, change the key signature and write it a Major 6th (that's 5 STEPS) higher.

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One Response to How do you convert music so an alto saxophone can play it?

  1. Tom A says:

    If you're reading the piano chart, you have to play a Major 6th higher.

    This is the equivalent of playing 2 steps lower, and putting the octave key on. Two steps lower means pretending the note is on the next line down if it's on a line, or the next space down if it's on a space.

    You also have to change key signatures. Subtract 3 flats from the piano key signature if it's in flats, or as is more likely, add 3 sharps if it's a sharp key signature.

    Transposition is a valuable skill that you should first practise slowly on easy music. You will get it right if you're careful, and after a short time it will be almost as easy as reading music normally. In the meantime, you may want to write the tune out. As I said, change the key signature and write it a Major 6th (that's 5 STEPS) higher.
    References :
    I'm a clarinet and sax teacher.