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In a smaller, mixed ensemble I play with (for fun), there is a former trumpet player that now plays Eb alto horn due to a medical condition (so he can't use the small trumpet mouthpiece). He can only read treble clef music, and cannot do transpositions at all. The number of players and instrumentation is constantly changing, and he plays the tenor sax part (although it does get a bit high for him at times).

What part could he switch to that would 'always' be a good idea to be on? (there is just about any band/orch part available). There are no F horn parts in Eb, so that's out. However, I was thinking something along the lines of taking the first trombone part- adding three sharps, fixing the accidentals, and 'imagining' it's in treble clef- would that work? Maybe play the tuba part an octave up? Any other ideas? He just wants to contribute to the group, so any advice would be appreciated.

He could play the alto sax part - it's the same transposition as the Eb tenor horn.
He could play higher bass clef parts using the method described.
The tenor horn works better in it's higher range, it's not so good below the stave (as written in it's own transposed parts).

How does he play the tenor sax part if he can't transpose?

Normally the first choice would be to transpose F horn parts.

Are you sure he can't learn to transpose? Learning one particular transposition, like playing F horn parts on Eb horn is something which improves very quickly once tackled and quickly becomes "learned" like a second set of fingerings. Horn parts are often simple compared to saxophone parts which also helps. Its much easier than being confronted with different transpositions at random.

Regards

Gerard

I know of one band where a horn played the 2nd alto sax part. Might work for this alto horn player also. And aren’t alto clarinet parts often lower than the 1st alto sax part. Could be an option also.

Taking trombone or tuba parts up an octave will skew just about any sort of arrangement.

Klaus

termite wrote:He could play the alto sax part - it's the same transposition as the Eb tenor horn.
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How does he play the tenor sax part if he can't transpose?

I'm guessing he meant alto sax. I could see how that could run rather high.

Alto horn is the worst instrument for this guy if he is going to read only one notation. If he switched to bariphonium, would your repertoire usually have treble clef parts for him? Tell him you'll transpose those horn parts for him, but let him look at them first and compare with the treble clef baritone parts. He'll find some way to make the switch.