Yes an alto is in Eb and a tenor is in Bb so your Eb on alto sounds the same pitch as C on a piano. They are referred to as a “transposing instrument”. Many, but not all, brass and woodwind instruments have this feature.
It means that if you play an instrument that has a transposing feature, you will be able to play the notes of that instrument in the key of the instrument you are playing. For example, if I am playing an oboe, I can play C# on the obo, and Cb on my bass. I play a clarinet, my C will sound like an Eb.
You can also transpose a stringed instrument such as a violin, viola, cello and violoncello.
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How do you transpose piano notes into saxophone notes?
When you play a written B-flat, it sounds like A-flat, which is a major second lower. The bass sounds an additional two semitones lower than the other instruments. If you want to learn how to transpose the notes on a piano, you need to know how the piano keys are arranged.
The key of C is C major, and it is the same key as the A major scale. So, if you were to play the C minor scale, then you would play C-C-D-E-F-G-A-B. You can use a transposition calculator to find out how many notes are in the key you are playing. Then, use that number as a starting point.
Are piano notes the same as saxophone?
If the saxophone and the piano play the same sheet music, the notes will not be correct between the two instruments. The saxophone is in the key of C and the piano is in the key of C. If you want to play a piece of music in a key other than the one you’re in, you’ll need to learn a new key.
What key is alto sax in?
The bass and treble strings will be different when playing the same note on a score. For example, if you play the note C♯ in the key of C major, you will play it on the A string of the saxophone, which is tuned C. If you then play that note in a different key, such as C minor, it will sound different.
This is why it is important to know how to play different notes on different strings.
How do you transpose from piano to tenor sax?
The key of C is used for concert instruments such as piano, flute, etc. A whole step is the interval between C and Bb. If you read music written in C, you will go up a whole octave.
If you want to learn how to play an instrument, you need to know the intervals between the notes. If you don’t know these intervals, then you won’t be able to do anything with your instrument. This is why it is so important to have a good ear for music.
Can a sax play in any key?
A saxophone can be played in all keys. Saxophone players are not limited by the fact that their saxophone is a transposing instrument, as they will be able to do the transposing themselves. It is more difficult to play the saxophone in any key than it is to play the piano or guitar.
The most important thing to remember is that you can transpose any instrument to any other key. For example, if you want to play a song in the key of C, you could play it in C and then switch to D, or vice versa. Transposing an instrument doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some practice to get the hang of it.
What note is Concert C on alto sax?
Alto and baritone saxes, alto clarinet, and most alto horns are Eb instruments, and when they play a C it sounds like a Eb on the piano.
So, if they want to play a concert Bb scale, they start on a G (they have to think up a six steps in the scale – or down a minor third). Concert C is their A, Concert D their B, and Concert E their C. So, for example, you can play the C major scale on an Alto saxophone, but you cannot do the same thing with a Baritone or Alto Clarinet, because they don’t have the B and C notes in their scale.
You can, however, play an A minor scale with an Eb, or a B minor with the Eb. This is because the A and B notes are in different octaves, which is why they sound different when played on different instruments.
