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Home / Which Performers in the Brass Section Often Learn How to Transpose Music While Reading It?

Which Performers in the Brass Section Often Learn How to Transpose Music While Reading It?

INSTRUMENT CLEF(s) WRITTEN RANGE (C4=middle C) SOUNDING (transposition) ...than written COMMENTS WOODWINDS D4-C7 C: 1 octave higher
Db: minor 9th higher or C4-D7 Professional model flutes may employ awhich allows them to play 1/2 step lower.
There are a few isolated instances of a low Bb in the flute literature but these are rare. C4-C7 a Perfect 4th lower The

Alto Flute is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Bass Flute. There are also a number of other designs for low-pitched flutes  which are not generally used in an orchestra except for special situations.

Bb3-A6 Bb3-E6 a minor 3rd lower B3-G6 a Perfect 5th lower

written in alto clef at concert pitch in certain Russian scores. It is similar in pitch and tone to the earlier instrument, Oboe da caccia.

/ A3-G6 1 octave lower E3-C7 Bb: a whole step lower
A: a minor 3rd lower
D: a whole step higher
Eb: a minor 3rd higher C3-G6 a Perfect 5th lower and Eb3(or C3)-G6 a 9th lower;
a whole step lower when written in bass clef
Treble clef in Bb transposition is preferred modern notation. Professional models can play down to concert B-flat below the bass staff (written C3).
There are examples in the classical literature, especially in 19th century works, for Bass Clarinet in A or C and written in bass clef or a mixture of bass and treble clefs. This is not advisable for the modern composer as these instruments are rare to non-existent and this will only cause problems for the player involved. Bb1-Eb5 The bassoonist, like the oboe player, will spend a lot of time on the craft of reed making as all reeds are handmade.
(photos contributed by Kyle Szczepaniak) Bb1-Bb4 1 octave lower Use of tenor clef for contrabassoon is rare. Bb3-G6 Bb soprano: a whole step lower
Eb alto: a 6th lower
Bb tenor: a 9th lower
Eb baritone: 1 octave+6th lower
Bb bass: 1 octave+9th lower At one time there were a family of saxophones in F and C but they are no longer manufactured.

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS

BRASS Clef(s) Written Sounding (double horn) F#2-C6 a Perfect 5th lower Horns may be written in a number transpositions: C, D, Eb, E, F, G, A alto, Bb alto, Bb basso, B(rare)
Among horn players, transpositions are spoken of in terms of the Horn in F (ex. Horn in Eb is a whole step lower)
Orchestral horns have a double tubing system constructed for fundamental tones in F and Bb. in Bb
and
in F Bb: C3-G5
F: F2-D5
Tuben or Wagner tubas are played by horn players. Note that valves are played with the left hand.
The sounding pitch of a Bb tenor instrument playing from a part written in treble clef should be a 9th below the written note. However, the practical realizations of hornists are not entirely consistent on this point. ex. Stravinsky, Rite of Spring.
Tuben also have parts written in E-flat (sounding a 6th lower than written) in The Ring of the Niebelungen. F#3-D6 C: (as written)
Bb: a whole step lower
A: a minor 3rd lower
G: a Perfect 5th higher
F: a Perfect 4th higher
E: a major 3rd higher

Eb:  a minor 3rd higher

D: a whole step higher for a detailed explanation of trumpet characteristics, see Del Mar, Anatomy of the Orchestra F#3-G5 Bb: a minor 7th higher
A: major 6th higher sometimes written F#4-G6
Bb: sounding 1 step lower
A: sounding a minor 3rd lower Trumpet family:
cylindrical and conical
*see note regarding clef for bass trumpet [cylindrical] [conical] Clarino Trumpet: for baroque period and earlier; before the invention of valves.
Trumpets with rotary valves are generally used for 19th century orchestral works.
Trumpet in F: very common in 19th century works for military bands. See Rimsky-Korsakov use of F and Eb alto trumpets.
Bass trumpet: plays in treble clef in Bb or in *bass clef (sometimes tenor). Frequently played by a trombone player.Bb Cornet: transposition and playing range, basically the same as Bb Trumpet. Often used in pairs with trumpets.
Flugelhorn: same as Bb trumpet but not for upper range. More mellow sound, softer.
Posthorn: not generally for orchestral works but posthorn (with valves) is scored in Mahler Symphony No. 3.
Pocket trumpet: in Bb, generally poor sound and intonation. A2-G5 Used primarily, but not exclusively, in 18th and 19th century German orchestral works.
*treble (see note) E2-F5 *a 9th lower, when written in treble clef as a Bb transposing instrument. Pedal tones G1-Bb1 are possible.

Use of the  valve called the F-trigger  engages an additional length of tubing and facilitates pitches from F2 down to C2, or B1 with the F-slide extended.

*British Brass Band music for Trombones in Bb is written in treble clef where the sounding pitch is a 9th below the written pitch. Bb1-Bb4 Trombones, especially Bass Trombones come in a variety of design configurations according to manufacturer. Ab0-C5 Although the name implies an octave transposition - as in contrabassoon or contrabass - the contrabass trombone plays at concert pitch, no transposition. It is primarily called for in a few select works of Wagner, Strauss, Schoenberg and Puccini.
Instruments are built with fundamental tones of F, E-flat, BBb, and others in first position. The shape and design varies from straight with slide handle extension to double valve and double slide models. The chioce of which instrument is most appropriate in any given situation is the players chioce.
There is no standard configuration of tubing for Contrabass trombones. D1-F4 Orchestral tubas play at concert pitch regardless of the pitch of a particular instrument.
In the British brass band tradition,

Eb and Bb tubas are written in treble clef.

The Eb tubas sound 1 octave+a 6th below the written note while the Bb tubas sound 2 octaves lower than written. The Bb tubas are technically BBb (double-Bb) tubas.

The F Tuba is a smaller, lighter instrument primarily used for solos.

Prior to the invention of the modern tuba in 1835, the ophecleide may have been used.


sometimes tenor Bb1-Bb4 in bass Bb: a whole step lower in bass as a transposing instrument,
a 9th lower in treble

Both the German style Tenor tuba and English style Euphonium are common. They are identical in pitch and therefore interchangeable for all practical purposes. This instrument should not be confused with the Bb or F Wagner tuba (also called tenor tuba) played by horn players, though they have a similar appearance. Note that valves on the tenor tuba/euphonium are played with the right hand.
When writing for this instrument in bass clef, it is advisable to notate at concert pitch. Tenor clef may also be used.
In orchestral works prior to the mid-20th century, the euphonium written in bass clef frequently employs B-flat transposition. This is not advisable in modern notation.

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS

PERCUSSION Clef(s) Written Sounding
standard set of 4 drums

20": F3‑C4
23": D3‑A3
26‑25": Bb2‑F3
29‑28": F2‑C3
32‑30": D2‑A2

in some cases of older notation, timpani is written in C with the root pitch indicated (ex. Timpani in D)
F3-C7 1 octave higher (C2 to A2)-C7 G3-C6 2 octaves higher when notes exceed the range of the instrument the effective transposition is 1 octave higher.

The glockenspiel typically used by marching bands is the same instrument but has two fewer notes on the bottom and three fewer on the top; mounted in a lyre-type frame.

F3-F6 C4-F5 individual chimes may extend the range of a standard set of chimes E3-E6 1 octave lower Guitar, as with any string instrument, may extend the upper range depending on the player's ability. Cb1-F#7

Harp pedals operate a mechanism by which each pedal changes the pitch of all of the strings of that pitch class: D-C-B--E-F-G-A

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS

KEYBOARD Clef(s) Written Sounding A0-C8 C3-C7 1 octave higher This instrument is sometimes refered to as the Mustel celeste in certain works of Tchaikowsky. Mustel was the original manufacturer.

The Keyboard Glockenspiel is similar in sound and appearance to the celesta but smaller.

F1-F6 F1-F6 The harmonium is a small portable organ.
grand staff
+ pedal staff C2-C7 (on tracker organs)
Pedals C2-G4 (F4 on German organs) Manuals, as written (can be 1 octave lower or 2 octaves higher with registration); Pedals, 1 octave lower (can be up to 1 octave higher with registration. These ranges also apply to electronic organs that are designed to simulate pipe organs; non classical electronic organs often have shorter than standard manual and pedal keyboards. (contrib. Randall Wilkins)

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS

STRINGS Clef(s)/Tuning Written Sounding
treble clef is also called violin clef G3-A7 no transposition, excepting scordatura C3-E6 no transposition, excepting scordatura
C2-C6

The Viola da Gamba is similar in size to the cello but has 6 strings. It may be played by a cellist but usually by a gamba specialist. It is used in baroque period music.

C2-C5 1 octave lower Double basses occasionally play in tenor or treble clefs(rare).

The lower range of a bass may extend down to C by using a mechanical extension . Some basses have 5 strings to accomodate the low C.

Which Performers in the Brass Section Often Learn How to Transpose Music While Reading It?

Source: http://www.orchestralibrary.com/reftables/rang.html

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