Q for you pros re working with transposing instruments

[Jack Clark]

Generally, when the leader calls for a piece to be played in "F" or "one flat," is it understood that he always means concert pitch? Even if the leader himself plays tenor sax?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Yes, that's the convention. A leader who does otherwise is inviting disaster.

[Jack Clark]

Thanks, Chris. So if the leader is a tenor sax player and he calls for a tune to be played in "F" or "one flat," he is going to be thinking and playing in G, i.e. one sharp, for his own instrument, I guess, right?

[turf3]

I am a sax player (35 years+ on saxophone, 2 years on double bass). Sax players are accustomed to playing a transposing instrument, and are used to the fact that the rhythm section and trombones play in concert key. What the tenor sax player is thinking of as to keys probably varies according to the situation and the person. If I am reading music in concert key and transposing on the fly, I am thinking in concert key. If I am reading music written for sax, I'm thinking in the transposed key. If I am playing a well known tune in "some key" - whatever someone called, what's comfortable for a singer, etc., etc., I am probably going to think of it in relative terms; i.e., I chord, iim7 chord, V7 chord, I chord, etc.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Jack Clark

Generally, when the leader calls for a piece to be played in "F" or "one flat," is it understood that he always means concert pitch? Even if the leader himself plays tenor sax?

I always ask: "Is that in bass clef?" just to be sure.

[longfinger]

Generally, to avoid confusion with the Eb, Bb, and C instruments... one would use the pre-fix "concert". Ie. "concert F"

If you're not sure.. just ask.

[Marc Piane]

I always just play in the key of life man.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Flat keys are fingers down and sharp keys are fingers up. Bb is two down.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Yes, that's the convention. A leader who does otherwise is inviting disaster.

Agreed. If there is any doubt in my mind, I'll ask, but the convention is that the tune is called in concert pitch.

[chicagodoubler]

I've never heard of a horn player calling a tune in "his" key. Ever. Those guys chose to play an instrument with odd conventions. It's their duty to deal with the transposition.