Hello,
I am wanting to transpose lead sheets from my Concert C Real Book for Alto Sax Eb.
So if I just copy the concert C lead sheet into Dorico, what would be the best process/settings to make the transposition to Eb?
Thanks!
Hello,
I am wanting to transpose lead sheets from my Concert C Real Book for Alto Sax Eb.
So if I just copy the concert C lead sheet into Dorico, what would be the best process/settings to make the transposition to Eb?
Thanks!
If you entered the notes in concert as an Al. Sax part, just click the transpose check box in the appropriate layout options.
If you just want to transpose everything, select all and use the Write > Transpose menu option.
Chord symbols would need to be selected specifically to be included in the transposition.
Thanks so much Derrek! But what is an AI? I was thinking it might be useful to leave the original concert key as the “Full Score” and then have one “player” as the alto sax with the Eb transposition. But its my first day working in here, and really with any notation software, so I´m a little clueless on best workflow.
I was messing around today with the Write > transpose menu method today. Is the screenshot attached the best setting to transpose from C> Eb?
Much appreciated!

If the instrument is an Eb alto sax, when you switch to its part layout it should be transposed correctly automatically. By default, part layouts are transposing (meaning they display notes in transposed pitch) and full score layouts are concert pitch.
You can also set the transposition of layouts manually in Dorico 3.5 - for e.g. if you wanted to have an alternate version that transposes in Bb as well without having to duplicate the notes or add a separate player.
That screenshot will actually give you the transposition for Eb Baritone Sax. If you want Alto you’ll want up a major 6th, or take the notes from the Bari transposition up an octave.
You’re probably better off just inputting from the Real Book in Concert though, then viewing the part Transposed.
I didn’t post an answer (Derrek got there first) but I admit I jumped to the wrong conclusion from what was on the screen: “You joined 6 months ago and have made 14 posts, so you aren’t a complete beginner.”
But looking at your profile, most of those posts are on a different Steinberg forum!
Thanks Lillie! I have not discovered the partlayouts yet, I will check that out now! sounds like the best solution! ![]()
Yes thats correct! I´ve been on Cubase for 6 months and producing dance music for many more years, but brand new to notation and especially transposition
I´ve just been playing saxophone for about 2 months ![]()
“Al. Sax” is the abbreviation for Alto Saxaphone.
I don’t see why you’d transpose chords to as Eb score. No Eb instrument can play chords or you might need them for free improvisations, and even then it would depend on the keys you’re playing in otherwise, don’t botter to do so.
No Eb instrument can play chords … otherwise, don’t botter to do so.
Wut? You resurrected a 5 1/2 year old necrothread unprompted to post this?!? Hal Leonard has apparently found it profitable to make all their “Real Books” also in Eb.

Buy the official Hal Leonard Fake Book, 'The Real Book – Volume I – Sixth Edition - Eb Edition' (Sheet Music) - This series includes official Hal Leonard sheet music for the following songs, available in: Softcover and Digital Book
Price: $49.99

Buy the official Hal Leonard Fake Book, 'The Real Book – Volume II – Second Edition - Eb Edition' (Sheet Music) - This series includes official Hal Leonard sheet music for the following songs, available in: Softcover and Digital Book
Price: $49.99

Buy the official Hal Leonard Real Book Series, 'The Real Book – Volume III - Eb Edition' (Sheet Music)
Price: $49.99

Buy the official Hal Leonard Real Book Series, 'The Real Book – Volume IV - Eb Edition' (Sheet Music)
Price: $54.99

Buy the official Hal Leonard Real Book Series, 'The Real Book – Volume V - E-flat Edition' (Sheet Music)
Price: $49.99

Buy the official Hal Leonard Real Book Series, 'The Real Bebop Book - Eb Edition' (Sheet Music)
Price: $34.99
etc … But I guess you know better than them. ![]()
(Eb players really need to learn to sight transpose concert though. The ability to sight transpose Bb parts on Eb has been financially lucrative to me personally too.)