Horn in F · English horn · old horn parts
Horn in F transposition
Concert pitch in, horn part out.
The French horn in F sounds a perfect fifth lower than written. To play a part in concert pitch, every note moves up a perfect fifth — and old parts for horn in E♭, D or C move by their own interval. Below are the charts for every note and key. Or photograph the part and download it transposed for horn in F.
Transpose for horn in FTool
Photograph the part, get it in F.
neumascan reads the printed part; under Transpose, “Horn in F” writes it up a perfect fifth — key signature and accidentals included. Then download a PDF to print, MusicXML or MIDI.
… or drop it here. JPEG, PNG, HEIC or PDF, up to 8 MB.
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Chart
Horn transposition chart.
Find the concert note, read the note to play on horn in F. The English horn is in F as well and transposes exactly the same way.
Concert pitch to horn in F: notes
| Concert pitch | Horn in F, English horn |
|---|---|
| C | G |
| D♭ | A♭ |
| D | A |
| E♭ | B♭ |
| E | B |
| F | C |
| G♭ | D♭ |
| G | D |
| A♭ | E♭ |
| A | E |
| B♭ | F |
| B | F♯ |
Concert pitch to horn in F: key signatures
| Concert pitch | Horn in F, English horn |
|---|---|
| C major | G major (1♯) |
| F major (1♭) | C major |
| B♭ major (2♭) | F major (1♭) |
| E♭ major (3♭) | B♭ major (2♭) |
| A♭ major (4♭) | E♭ major (3♭) |
| G major (1♯) | D major (2♯) |
| D major (2♯) | A major (3♯) |
Every other transposing instrument — clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and more — is in the transposition chart for all instruments.
Old horn parts
Horn in E♭, D, E or C — read on F horn.
Classical and romantic scores write the horn in many keys, one for each crook. On today’s F horn, every such part moves by the interval between its key and F.
| Part for horn in | Sounds, relative to written | On horn in F |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ alto | a major second lower | perfect fourth ↑ |
| G | a perfect fourth lower | major second ↑ |
| E | a minor sixth lower | minor second ↓ |
| E♭ | a major sixth lower | major second ↓ |
| D | a minor seventh lower | minor third ↓ |
| C (basso) | an octave lower | perfect fourth ↓ |
| B♭ basso | a major ninth lower | perfect fifth ↓ |
From other instruments: a part for B♭ trumpet or clarinet becomes a horn part a perfect fourth up; a part for E♭ alto horn (tenor horn) a major second down.
How it works
From any part to your horn part.
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Upload
Photo or PDF of the part — in concert pitch, for horn in another key, or for another instrument.
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Transpose
Pick “Horn in F” from the list — it writes the part up a perfect fifth — or any interval, up or down.
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Download
PDF to print, MusicXML for MuseScore & co., or MIDI to listen.
Pricing
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Questions
Horn transposition, briefly.
How do I transpose for horn in F?
Move every note of the concert-pitch part up a perfect fifth and add one sharp to the key signature (or take away one flat): concert F major becomes C major. In neumascan, pick “Horn in F” under Transpose.
How do I transpose horn in F to concert pitch?
The other way round: every note down a perfect fifth, one sharp fewer in the key signature. In neumascan, choose “perfect fifth ↓”.
How do I read a horn part in E♭ on an F horn?
Move it down a major second: the written C of the E♭ part becomes a B♭. Parts in D go down a minor third, parts in E down a minor second — the table above has the other keys.
Does the English horn transpose like the French horn?
Yes. Both are in F and sound a perfect fifth lower than written, so the same chart applies — in neumascan, pick “English horn (F)” or “Horn in F”.
Can I play a trumpet part on horn?
Yes: a part for B♭ trumpet moves up a perfect fourth for horn in F. In neumascan, choose “perfect fourth ↑”, then download the part as a PDF to print.