The Fingering Forum  
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Author: A.C.  
Date:   2005-09-08 01:50 
 How does one find what note the concert key of Ab begins on for an Eb Alto Saxophone?  Is there a general rule for transposing a concert key to an Eb Alto Saxophone key?
  
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Author: Fernando  
Date:   2005-09-08 21:03 
 Eb is a minor 3rd above C so you always must transpose down a minor 3rd from the concert pitch to get the note for any Eb pitched instrument.  For Ab you transpose down a minor 3rd to F. 
 
If you know your key signatures, then think of it this way.  If the concert key has flats, then take away 3 flats to get you pitch.  If the concert key has sharps, then ADD 3 sharps to get your pitch.  If there are less than 3 flats, then take away the flats and start adding sharps for the left over number of flats.  
  
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