Quick transposition question, Eb horn

[timothy42b]

I think I know the answer but I want to check before I do the work.

I need to transpose a Horn in F part for a player in our community band that can only read Horn in Eb.

I think that this just means that treble clef 3rd space C should sound Eb above middle C concert. So I just lower everything a whole step.

But I've got a nagging little thought I might be off an octave. She plays the horn parts on what seems to be an Eb alto horn rather than a French horn.

[Chronos91]

Horn in F parts sound a fifth lower than written. Eb alto horn parts sound a major sixth lower than written. If a treble clef C showed up in a part for horn in F, an Eb alto horn player would have to play a fourth line D for them. Basically, move everything up a major 2nd for the alto horn player. You'll also have to add two sharps.

[harrisonreed]

Copy into your notation program for F horn, copy, then paste into a second instrument for Eb horn, then print the part. In this way, not only will the transposition be instantaneous, free of errors, and with accidentals that make sense, but the part will be clean as well

[JohnL]

Copy into your notation program for F horn, copy, then paste into a second instrument for Eb horn, then print the part. In this way, not only will the transposition be instantaneous, free of errors, and with accidentals that make sense, but the part will be clean as well

What he said.

Musescore is open source (i.e., free), works well, and is pretty easy to learn.

If you MUST do it by hand, a written "C" on an F horn part translates to a written "D" on an Eb horn part; the instrument sounds a whole step lower, so the music is written a whole step higher. You'll also have to sort out the accidentals (add two sharps).

[timothy42b]

Thanks. I wanted to confirm there wasn't something I was missing.

I finished the first one, copying the Horn into F into notation, then using the transpose function to raise two half steps. The program caught all the key changes correctly.

This is kind of a pain in the butt, I'd forgotten how long it takes. I just have to crank through a couple more. The lesson is never volunteer.