Topmusicanswers
Do trumpets transpose up or down?
For example, from C to Bb is a descending major second (or ninth). Bb instruments transpose down a major second (or ninth).
...
| Trumpet (Trompette, Tromba, Trompete) | |
|---|---|
| Bb (most common in modern bands) | Sounds M2 below written pitch. |
| A (obsolete) | Sounds m3 below written pitch. |
| Ab (very obsolete) | Sounds M3 below written pitch. |
How do you transpose a trumpet to a concert pitch?
When a Bb trumpet plays a written F, it sounds the concert pitch Eb. When an Eb alto sax plays a written G, it sounds the concert pitch Bb. When an F horn plays a written E, it sounds the concert pitch A. All non-transposing instruments (such as flute, trombone & tuba) play concert pitch.
