practice cents · guide
Theory & notationConcert pitch to written: Bb, Eb, and F
Concert pitch to written for Bb trumpet, clarinet, horn, and alto sax. A cheat sheet for concert B♭ and F — then drill it in HYKOM.
Concert pitch vs written pitch
Concert pitch is what the ensemble sounds. C instruments (flute, oboe, trombone, tuba, strings, piano) read that pitch. Bb, Eb, and F instruments read a different written note so they sound in concert with the group.
Here is the conversion most students need: concert pitch to Bb. For a Bb trumpet or clarinet, concert B♭ is written C — up a major second.
Concert B♭ and concert F
Those two concert pitches show up in almost every warm-up. Read across for what you play.
| Instrument | Key | Concert B♭, read | Concert F, read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax | B♭ | C | G |
| French horn, mellophone (F) | F | F | C |
| Alto sax, bari sax | E♭ | G | D |
| Flute, oboe, trombone, tuba, strings | C | B♭ | F |
Concert → written means you read higher than it sounds on Bb, Eb, and F. The web tuner shows concert pitch; written Bb/Eb/F is on iPhone.
The interval, once
Memorize the interval for your instrument, then the table is just a check.
- Bb (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax): concert → written, up a major second. Sounds a whole step lower than written.
- F (horn, marching mellophone): concert → written, up a perfect fifth. Sounds a fifth lower than written.
- Eb (alto / bari sax): concert → written, up a major sixth. Sounds a major sixth lower than written.
- C instruments: concert = written.
How to practice
Drill until the interval is automatic. Then check with a tuner on concert pitch: play the written note, confirm the sounding pitch matches the ensemble.
- One instrument first — your primary part
- Both directions: concert→written and written→concert
- Warm up on concert B♭ and F from the table, then open a real part
- HYKOM transposition asks the same conversion with original items — not contest dumps
On practice cents
HYKOM has transposition practice for grades 6–12. The web tuner is concert pitch so any instrument can match a piano or drone. Written keys (Bb, Eb, F) are in the iPhone app.
FAQ
- How do I convert concert pitch to Bb trumpet?
- Go up a major second. Concert B♭ is written C. Concert F is written G. Bb instruments sound a whole step lower than written.
- What does a Bb trumpet play for concert Bb?
- Written C. Same for Bb clarinet and tenor sax. C instruments (flute, oboe, trombone) read concert B♭ as B♭.
- Is French horn the same as mellophone?
- Marching mellophone is usually in F, like horn — concert B♭ is written F. Horn bells face back; mellophone bells face forward, which is easier for a phone mic.
- Does the web tuner show written pitch?
- No — it shows concert pitch so the section can match one reference. Written Bb/Eb/F transposition is in the iPhone app.
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