Bari Sax Transposition Tips

Occasionally there is need for Bari sax players to be assigned to play a part that was not
originally written for alto clarinet. This is usually due to a need to cover another
important part. Bari sax is an Eb instrument so can just read the music of any other Eb
instrument (ex.: contralto clarinet). If you are not given a part in Eb, you will have to
transpose it to your instrument. Most commonly you will be given a bassoon part, or
possibly contra bassoon (in concert pitch). To read this music there are two steps:

1. Pretend the music is in treble clef

2. Add three sharps to the key signature (or take away three flats)
3. *ONLY FOR CONTRA BASSOON PARTS* - Play down one octave

So if you got this concert pitch music:

You would play:

Accidentals make things slightly more complicated. Try to think of sharps as raising
whatever note by one half step and think of flats as lowering whatever note by one half
step. (i.e. if you have transposed to a C# but then have to add a flat you would play a C
natural). You will hear and know if you have played the right note or not. So if you saw
this:

You would play:

It will help if you know how the concert pitch key the band plays in relates to the key
your Eb instrument plays in.

When the band (concert pitch) is in: You are playing in:
Bb G
C A
F D
Eb C
G E

Good luck and let us know if you need help!