Transpose sheet music to any key
Open a printed score, a score file or a recording, move the whole piece up or down by any interval, hear it in the new key, and print it as staff notation, jianpu or TAB.
Drop sheet music, a score file or a recording
A printed PDF (up to 12 pages) or picture, MusicXML, MIDI or ABC, or a recording. Reading sheet music is free, and so is transposing.
No file handy?
ScoreStarling transposes sheet music for free: open a PDF, a picture, a MusicXML or MIDI file, or transcribe a recording, then move the whole score by any interval, hear it, and print it in the new key as staff notation, jianpu or guitar TAB.
What goes in and what comes out
You bring
- A PDF or picture of printed staff notation
- A MusicXML, MIDI or ABC file
- Or a recording, written out first
You get
- The score in the new key, notes and key signature spelled for it
- A PDF to print, in staff notation, jianpu or TAB
- MP3 or WAV to sing or play along with
- MusicXML and MIDI once the score is unlocked
How it works
- Choose your file above. The workspace opens with it, after sign-in if needed.
- The notes are read from the page, so there is nothing to choose and no fee. For a recording, say what is playing; a voice, one instrument or solo piano is free.
- Open Score settings and choose an interval, from a whole step to an octave, up or down. Play it to hear the new key; Undo takes it back.
- Download the PDF in the new key.
Or ask Starling, or ChatGPT or Claude with ScoreStarling connected: “Move it up a whole step and let me hear it first.” The assistant shows the change before applying it.
Writing a part for a transposing instrument
From a score at concert pitch, transpose the whole score by the interval below, then print it as that player’s part. Score settings offers up to a fifth and the octave; for a sixth or a ninth, ask Starling (“transpose up a major sixth”), or apply two steps in a row, such as an octave and then a whole step for a ninth.
| Instrument | Transpose concert pitch |
|---|---|
| B♭ trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax | Up a major second |
| Tenor sax | Up a major ninth |
| E♭ alto sax | Up a major sixth |
| E♭ baritone sax | Up an octave and a major sixth |
| Horn in F, English horn | Up a perfect fifth |
For singers
- Too high? Move it down a whole step or two and sing along with the score to check.
- A capo-free guitar key: transpose to G, C, D or E, then show the guitar TAB.
- Jianpu readers with 1 = the key read the same numbers in any key; only the 1= line changes.
Good to know
- Transposing moves the whole score. To change one instrument’s written key alone, set it in your notation app after downloading the MusicXML.
- Handwriting and jianpu pages are not read automatically.
- Playback plays repeats once.
Questions and answers
Can I transpose a PDF of sheet music?
Yes. Open the PDF, and once its notes are read, transpose the whole score in Score settings and download a new PDF. Clean printed staff notation reads best, up to 12 pages.
Can I transpose a photo of sheet music?
A clear, straight picture of printed music works. A crooked phone photo, handwriting or a jianpu page reads poorly; an AI assistant that can see images, such as ChatGPT or Claude with ScoreStarling connected, can try to write it out first.
Is it free?
Yes. Reading sheet music and score files, transposing, listening and the PDF are free. A free score’s PDF carries a small footer line; MusicXML and MIDI need the score unlocked for 15 credits, once.
Can I get the transposed music as jianpu?
Yes. Transpose first, then switch to Jianpu and download the PDF; with 1 = the key, the numbers stay the same and the 1= line changes.
How do I write a part for a B♭ trumpet or an E♭ alto sax?
From a score at concert pitch, transpose up the interval in the table on this page, such as a whole step (a major second) for B♭ trumpet, and print. Playback then sounds in the written key, which is expected for a transposed part.
Will transposing break the chords or the key signature?
No. The key signature, chord symbols and every note move together. Intervals are named, such as a whole step up, so each note is spelled for the new key.