How do I change a flute written piece to a clarinet key?

Question

So, I can't exactly play flute...but I found a gorgeous piece written for a flute and I need to know how to change it to a clarinet key. Like a relation of notes perhaps. Like the clarinet 'B' is equivalent to what note for a flute? (Except more notes than just a B.)

Answer 1

If you are playing the piece by yourself and not with any other instruments, you don't need to transpose at all. Just play it as written.
If you want to transpose it because you will be playing along with a band, or piano or flute, then you need to raise every note 2 half steps (1 step)

When a clarinet plays a B, it sounds like the A on a flute.

Answer 2

Speaking as a trained musician who plays flute and keyboard and has studied clarinet methods, your clarinet skills will help you. The easy answer to your "relation of notes" question is this: for a clarinet and a flute to play in perfect unison sound, the clarinet plays "C" while the flute plays Bb. Therefore, the clarinet "B" is equivalent to the flute's "A".

As for Finale or Sibelius, save your money! They're expensive programs, although very helpful if you do a lot of composing and arranging.

A simpler suggestion would be to practice your own transposition skills; i.e. read the flute part, but play a whole step higher if it's important to play in the actual pitch the composer intended. Or better yet, let your accompanist use a keyboard that does the transposition, and both of you are covered!

Answer 3

Flutes are concert pitched instruments. Clarinets are pitched in B-flat, meaning it's SOUNDING pitch is one whole step lower than written pitch, therefore everything must be written up a whole step.
So, in order for a clarinet to play a concert b-flat major scale, they must play a c major scale. A clarinet's "B" is going to be equal to a flute's A.

Transposing the notes of your piece up one step will give you the correct notes. Also, take note of the key signature--you must transpose the key signature as well. For example--if the piece is in concert C major, you must go up one whole step, meaning the clarinet will play in D major, giving the key signature two sharps.

What's even better is that you'll have to pay attention to the range of your piece--playing a flute range on clarinet is a challenge. The piece will be catered to the best range for flute, meaning you'll have to cater your transposition to the best range of the clarinet:)

Finale or Sibelius are great tools to use if you have access to it and the knowledge on how to use it.

Be careful with this as well---are you playing it by yourself? Or with a piano? If with a piano, the pianist will have to transpose as well.

Good luck, and I hope you can get some assistance from your band director. If this is just for you to play and enjoy it for YOU, then transpose away! It will be a good challenge.

Answer 4

Flute Transposition

Answer 5

If you are transposing the piece in A to be played on Bb clarinet then add 5 flats to the key signature. C major becomes Db major (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb). If you have accidentals, you will have to do those as you go along.

Answer 6

You rewrite the notes down one step and change the key by adding two flats. The 'C' on a clarinet is actually a concert Bb on a flute.
If you need it done quickly, then go out and buy 'Finale' and it will do the transcription for you.
You probably should learn music theory before you attempt complex transposing like you mentioned. Ask your band director for help.

Answer 7

Fifth Sonata's answer is correct.
Jeff's answer is correct, except that you don't ADD two flats, you usually SUBTRACT two flats.
Moonraker's answer isn't quite right. It depends on the original key.

The simplest explanation is to use the Circle of Fifths.
Draw a circle and divide it into 12 pie slices.
Going clockwise, label the slices:

C
G--1#
D--2#
A--3#
E--4#
B--5#
F#--6#
C#--7# or Db--5b
Ab--4b
Eb--3b
Bb--2b
F--1b

Find the new key by going two places clockwise.
Find each note by going two places clockwise.

I assume that your clarinet is in the key of Bb.
If it's in the key of A, write again.

Answer 8

The clarinet is written one full step up from a flute.

Flute : Clarinet
A : B
A# : C
B : C#
C : D
C# : D#
D : E
D# : F
E : F#
F : G
F# : G#
G : A
G# : A#

And here are the flats.

Flute : Clarinet
G : A
Gb : Ab
F : G
E : Gb
Eb : F
D : E
Db : Eb
C : D
B : Db
Bb : C
A : B
Ab : Bb

I hope this helps.

Answer 9

Transpose the music to the key of "B", Or ask a music teacher to do it for you.