Transposition / B♭ trumpet
B♭ trumpet transposition
Trumpet transposition: written to concert pitch (with audio)
Written C on B♭ trumpet sounds B♭, a major second lower.
Written to concert pitch: every note
Tap ▶ to hear each note played on b♭ trumpet.
| Written note | Sounds (concert pitch) |
|---|---|
| C4 | B♭3 |
| C♯4 | B3 |
| D4 | C4 |
| D♯4 | C♯4 |
| E4 | D4 |
| F4 | E♭4 |
| F♯4 | E4 |
| G4 | F4 |
| G♯4 | F♯4 |
| A4 | G4 |
| A♯4 | G♯4 |
| B4 | A4 |
Key signatures: concert key to written key
If the band is playing in the concert key on the left, this is the key the b♭ trumpet part is written in.
| Concert key | B♭ trumpet written key |
|---|---|
| D♭ major (5 flats) | E♭ major (3 flats) |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | B♭ major (2 flats) |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | F major (1 flat) |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | C major (no ♯ or ♭) |
| F major (1 flat) | G major (1 sharp) |
| C major (no ♯ or ♭) | D major (2 sharps) |
| G major (1 sharp) | A major (3 sharps) |
| D major (2 sharps) | E major (4 sharps) |
| A major (3 sharps) | B major (5 sharps) |
| E major (4 sharps) | F♯ major (6 sharps) |
| B major (5 sharps) | C♯ major (7 sharps) |
Concert B♭ scale for b♭ trumpet
Written notes for B♭ trumpet, one octave ascending:
B♭ trumpet transposition notes
Most trumpets used in school and community bands are pitched in B♭. A written C sounds a major second (a whole step) lower, concert B♭.
This is the same interval as B♭ clarinet, so a trumpet and clarinet part written from the same concert-pitch source end up in the same written key. C trumpet exists and is common in orchestral and some solo playing, where the written and sounding pitch are the same, but it is the exception, not the rule, in band music.
For the concert B♭ major scale, which is the traditional first scale taught in band method books, trumpet plays plain written C major, no sharps or flats, which is one reason it is usually the first transposition students learn without much fuss.
B♭ trumpet: concert pitch is a major 2nd lower than written pitch (write a major 2nd higher than concert to go the other way).
Frequently asked
How do I read a concert pitch part on trumpet?
Move each note up a major second from concert pitch to get the written note. A concert B♭ becomes a written C.
Is B♭ trumpet the same transposition as clarinet?
Yes, both sound a major second lower than written, in the same octave.
What is the concert B♭ scale for trumpet?
Written C major: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
Do all trumpets transpose the same way?
No. B♭ trumpet is standard in bands, but C trumpet (no transposition) and, more rarely, D or piccolo trumpets exist for specific orchestral and solo repertoire.
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