Q & A #2: Transposing for Bb for tenor saxophone

Jimbo:

If the music is transposed for Bb for tenor sax, then up an octave, do the notes wind up floating way above the staff? Would a middle C turn into a D way above, with a stack of short little lines under it. Would that make it harder to learn to read those notes??

Harri:

Jimbo,
you are correct. If you wanted the tenor saxophone to sound in same pitch, you will write a ninth (octave plus one) higher.

However, often one wants to use the register of tenor that is normally played. Then you transpose only a major second higher. In that case the tenor will sound octave lower than the original music in concert C.

Source:

Transposing Table for Saxophones

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Asker's Comment:

Thanks for the explanation, and the interesting web link.

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