Archived under: Horn study, Performance & Playing | Tips, Transposition
French Horn Transposition Chart
A complete reference.
Over the past few months, I have been posting various transposition tricks, including how to transpose:
There are still a few more tricks to go, but this particular post is dedicated to a complete transposition chart.
The interval method
Transpositions may be done by interval or by using clef substitutions, or by a combination. I do not implement or teach the “clef method” as Farkas describes in The Art of French Horn Playing, and this post will not cover that method.
At first the interval method seems like a very tedious process, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second-nature. It is a necessary skill – a requirement for any hornist looking to be a professional.
It is also a requirement for any hornist aiming to be a music educator. All music education majors need to read scores and transpose the various instruments. Learning that skill on the major instrument is a great place to start.
An easy way to remember the correct transposition interval is to relate the transposition to Horn in F and discern the interval relationship.
For example, if the transposition key is A-alto, imagine an “A” on the treble clef staff to represent that key.
To represent the standing pitch on the modern Horn in F, add an “F” to this imaginary staff.
The interval relationship from the “F” to the “A” is a major 3rd upwards – this also happens to be the correct transposition interval for Horn in A.
This shortcut method works for any transposition.
UPDATE:
Fixed a few boo-boos in this chart.
Related to this article
- Transposition Tricks: Alto Clef
Sight-reading viola music. At some gigs, you never know what will be put in front of you. Some contractors are either ignorant or care less about what transposition the French horn is pitched in, and will expect you to play from any part handy, regardless of... - Transposition Tricks: Bass Clef
An old trick for reading concert-pitch bass clef. Many times at freelance gigs, I am expected to play at sight all sorts of music – including trombone, trumpet, viola and piano parts. Over the course of my 20-something-year career, I have figured out a few tricks... - Transposition Tricks: Old vs. New Notation
A detailed description of bass clef notation for French horn. Since posting a blog on concert-pitch bass clef transposition, I have been getting a lot of Google hits on the topic of “old” and “new” bass clef notation. This style of notation – not related to... - Transposition Tricks: Sometimes Up is Down
The oddball “up” transpositions for the French horn. In the world of Opera there is hardly a dull moment when it comes to the French horn parts – you experience the entire range of possible transpositions. One area of particular confusion, are three transpositions: F-sharp, G,... - Background on The Brass Gym for Horn
Very early in my tenure at ASU I realized that Sam Pilafian was accomplishing some very interesting things with his breathing/warm-up class and warm-up materials in the tuba/euphonium studio. I was aware of these materials before I arrived at ASU– unpublished versions of his warm-up materials... - A Fingering Chart for Single F, Double, and Single B-flat Horns
I know from the blog stats that people are looking for fingering charts for the horn. Typically horn fingering charts are somewhat confusing as they combine fingerings for F and B-flat horns without presenting clearly a preferred set for the double horn. In response to this need... - “French” My Horn Please!
On semantics and political correctness. The French Horn (or “Horn”) is an instrument used in Western classical music settings, and these days is also featured prominently in many film and television productions – especially in the action/sci-fi genre. Film composers like Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams...
Playing it Smart: Three Phone Apps for Metering Success
Late Night Visitor; A Variation on Nighthawks
Of horns past, wistfully
Summer Music in the Park: The Tradition Lives On
Oddities: Alphorn is ... Cool?
