The variety of all transposing instruments Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)What's the Standard pitch for a Saxophone and its frequency?
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The variety of all transposing instruments
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)What's the Standard pitch for a Saxophone and its frequency?
A recent question on tuning saxophones caused me to wonder on the variety of transposing instruments. Here's some that I already know:
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves.
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Octave above - piccolo.
Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
Alto sax - major 6th below.
Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
F
French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
Many. This seems to be the most common case.
Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
What others am I missing? I have said little on brass instruments as I don't know them well enough to be confident that I was right. E.g. Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
transposing-instrument
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
|
show 9 more comments
A recent question on tuning saxophones caused me to wonder on the variety of transposing instruments. Here's some that I already know:
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves.
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Octave above - piccolo.
Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
Alto sax - major 6th below.
Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
F
French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
Many. This seems to be the most common case.
Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
What others am I missing? I have said little on brass instruments as I don't know them well enough to be confident that I was right. E.g. Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
transposing-instrument
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
4
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47
|
show 9 more comments
A recent question on tuning saxophones caused me to wonder on the variety of transposing instruments. Here's some that I already know:
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves.
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Octave above - piccolo.
Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
Alto sax - major 6th below.
Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
F
French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
Many. This seems to be the most common case.
Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
What others am I missing? I have said little on brass instruments as I don't know them well enough to be confident that I was right. E.g. Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
transposing-instrument
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
A recent question on tuning saxophones caused me to wonder on the variety of transposing instruments. Here's some that I already know:
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves.
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Octave above - piccolo.
Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
Alto sax - major 6th below.
Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
F
French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
Many. This seems to be the most common case.
Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
What others am I missing? I have said little on brass instruments as I don't know them well enough to be confident that I was right. E.g. Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
transposing-instrument
transposing-instrument
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
edited Apr 13 at 4:42
user45266
4,3061835
4,3061835
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
asked Apr 12 at 14:51
badjohnbadjohn
1,631520
1,631520
Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
4
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47
|
show 9 more comments
Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
4
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47
Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
4
4
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47
|
show 9 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
Yes, brass instruments can be a little tricky for this reason.
Although we say that a trombone is "in B♭," it's actually written in C; it's a non-transposing instrument. But the trombone itself is based in B♭, so first position will play the harmonic series on that pitch. The "in B♭" thus relates to the instrument's construction, not to a score transposition.
The same is true for tubas: you can have Tuba in C, Tuba in B♭, Tuba in F, and Tuba in E♭, but they are all non-transposing instruments. Whereas the score transposes for other instruments, the tubist must learn different fingerings depending on the instrument s/he is playing. (If you think that's confusing, try being the tuba player that has to learn four sets of fingerings!)
To add to that confusion, you'll occasionally encounter some European brass band transcriptions where the tuba (or baritone or euphonium) is written in treble clef as a transposing instrument (!). In cases like this, we just have to let context decide.
And there's one final level of confusion: this doesn't apply to all brass instruments. Trumpets, for instance, are written in transposed scores. The most common is probably the Trumpet in B♭ (which is written like the B♭ Clarinet), but there's also Trumpet in C (which is not transposed) and occasionally Trumpet in D.
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
|
show 5 more comments
(Copied over from the question for easier editing.)
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Many brass instruments, e.g. the trombone and tuba, may be described as being in B♭, E♭, F, etc. However, their parts are normally written at concert pitch and hence they are not transposing instruments in the sense here. The trumpet however is usually a transposing instrument and is mentioned below. It is not the most common but there is a trumpet in C.
Pedal harp also belongs here. (It does not matter, that strings can only be shortened and therefore the unmodified pitch would sound C♭; the notation is non-transposed)
- Octave above - piccolo.
- Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
- E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
- Alto sax - major 6th below.
- Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
- Alto Clarinet - major 6th below
F
- French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
- I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
G
- Alto flute
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
- Many. This seems to be the most common case.
- Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
- Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
add a comment |
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Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
Yes, brass instruments can be a little tricky for this reason.
Although we say that a trombone is "in B♭," it's actually written in C; it's a non-transposing instrument. But the trombone itself is based in B♭, so first position will play the harmonic series on that pitch. The "in B♭" thus relates to the instrument's construction, not to a score transposition.
The same is true for tubas: you can have Tuba in C, Tuba in B♭, Tuba in F, and Tuba in E♭, but they are all non-transposing instruments. Whereas the score transposes for other instruments, the tubist must learn different fingerings depending on the instrument s/he is playing. (If you think that's confusing, try being the tuba player that has to learn four sets of fingerings!)
To add to that confusion, you'll occasionally encounter some European brass band transcriptions where the tuba (or baritone or euphonium) is written in treble clef as a transposing instrument (!). In cases like this, we just have to let context decide.
And there's one final level of confusion: this doesn't apply to all brass instruments. Trumpets, for instance, are written in transposed scores. The most common is probably the Trumpet in B♭ (which is written like the B♭ Clarinet), but there's also Trumpet in C (which is not transposed) and occasionally Trumpet in D.
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
|
show 5 more comments
Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
Yes, brass instruments can be a little tricky for this reason.
Although we say that a trombone is "in B♭," it's actually written in C; it's a non-transposing instrument. But the trombone itself is based in B♭, so first position will play the harmonic series on that pitch. The "in B♭" thus relates to the instrument's construction, not to a score transposition.
The same is true for tubas: you can have Tuba in C, Tuba in B♭, Tuba in F, and Tuba in E♭, but they are all non-transposing instruments. Whereas the score transposes for other instruments, the tubist must learn different fingerings depending on the instrument s/he is playing. (If you think that's confusing, try being the tuba player that has to learn four sets of fingerings!)
To add to that confusion, you'll occasionally encounter some European brass band transcriptions where the tuba (or baritone or euphonium) is written in treble clef as a transposing instrument (!). In cases like this, we just have to let context decide.
And there's one final level of confusion: this doesn't apply to all brass instruments. Trumpets, for instance, are written in transposed scores. The most common is probably the Trumpet in B♭ (which is written like the B♭ Clarinet), but there's also Trumpet in C (which is not transposed) and occasionally Trumpet in D.
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
|
show 5 more comments
Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
Yes, brass instruments can be a little tricky for this reason.
Although we say that a trombone is "in B♭," it's actually written in C; it's a non-transposing instrument. But the trombone itself is based in B♭, so first position will play the harmonic series on that pitch. The "in B♭" thus relates to the instrument's construction, not to a score transposition.
The same is true for tubas: you can have Tuba in C, Tuba in B♭, Tuba in F, and Tuba in E♭, but they are all non-transposing instruments. Whereas the score transposes for other instruments, the tubist must learn different fingerings depending on the instrument s/he is playing. (If you think that's confusing, try being the tuba player that has to learn four sets of fingerings!)
To add to that confusion, you'll occasionally encounter some European brass band transcriptions where the tuba (or baritone or euphonium) is written in treble clef as a transposing instrument (!). In cases like this, we just have to let context decide.
And there's one final level of confusion: this doesn't apply to all brass instruments. Trumpets, for instance, are written in transposed scores. The most common is probably the Trumpet in B♭ (which is written like the B♭ Clarinet), but there's also Trumpet in C (which is not transposed) and occasionally Trumpet in D.
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
Wikipedia says of the tenor trombone: "is a non-transposing instrument pitched in B♭". So, where do I enter that?
Yes, brass instruments can be a little tricky for this reason.
Although we say that a trombone is "in B♭," it's actually written in C; it's a non-transposing instrument. But the trombone itself is based in B♭, so first position will play the harmonic series on that pitch. The "in B♭" thus relates to the instrument's construction, not to a score transposition.
The same is true for tubas: you can have Tuba in C, Tuba in B♭, Tuba in F, and Tuba in E♭, but they are all non-transposing instruments. Whereas the score transposes for other instruments, the tubist must learn different fingerings depending on the instrument s/he is playing. (If you think that's confusing, try being the tuba player that has to learn four sets of fingerings!)
To add to that confusion, you'll occasionally encounter some European brass band transcriptions where the tuba (or baritone or euphonium) is written in treble clef as a transposing instrument (!). In cases like this, we just have to let context decide.
And there's one final level of confusion: this doesn't apply to all brass instruments. Trumpets, for instance, are written in transposed scores. The most common is probably the Trumpet in B♭ (which is written like the B♭ Clarinet), but there's also Trumpet in C (which is not transposed) and occasionally Trumpet in D.
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
edited Apr 12 at 15:15
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
answered Apr 12 at 15:09
RichardRichard
46.1k7112198
46.1k7112198
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
|
show 5 more comments
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
Thanks. So, most of them are covered by my "too many to mention" comment in C. How about the trumpet, have I entered it correctly? E.g. could a trumpet play a clarinet part?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:12
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
@badjohn Yes, a B♭ Trumpet can play a B♭ Clarinet part. I've addressed this a bit in my edit.
– Richard
Apr 12 at 15:16
1
1
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Which families of instruments use transposition and which don't seems a bit arbitrary. E.g. saxophones all use the same fingering for the same written note yet the note produced varies greatly. Similarly, a viola could be considered as a violin in F but it isn't.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Thanks for the trumpet in D. I'll add that.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:17
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
Trombones are indeed tuned to Bb open. However, there are several different 'keys' in which they're played, and possibly also written in different clefs.
– Tim
Apr 12 at 16:29
|
show 5 more comments
(Copied over from the question for easier editing.)
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Many brass instruments, e.g. the trombone and tuba, may be described as being in B♭, E♭, F, etc. However, their parts are normally written at concert pitch and hence they are not transposing instruments in the sense here. The trumpet however is usually a transposing instrument and is mentioned below. It is not the most common but there is a trumpet in C.
Pedal harp also belongs here. (It does not matter, that strings can only be shortened and therefore the unmodified pitch would sound C♭; the notation is non-transposed)
- Octave above - piccolo.
- Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
- E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
- Alto sax - major 6th below.
- Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
- Alto Clarinet - major 6th below
F
- French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
- I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
G
- Alto flute
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
- Many. This seems to be the most common case.
- Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
- Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
add a comment |
(Copied over from the question for easier editing.)
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Many brass instruments, e.g. the trombone and tuba, may be described as being in B♭, E♭, F, etc. However, their parts are normally written at concert pitch and hence they are not transposing instruments in the sense here. The trumpet however is usually a transposing instrument and is mentioned below. It is not the most common but there is a trumpet in C.
Pedal harp also belongs here. (It does not matter, that strings can only be shortened and therefore the unmodified pitch would sound C♭; the notation is non-transposed)
- Octave above - piccolo.
- Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
- E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
- Alto sax - major 6th below.
- Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
- Alto Clarinet - major 6th below
F
- French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
- I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
G
- Alto flute
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
- Many. This seems to be the most common case.
- Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
- Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
add a comment |
(Copied over from the question for easier editing.)
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Many brass instruments, e.g. the trombone and tuba, may be described as being in B♭, E♭, F, etc. However, their parts are normally written at concert pitch and hence they are not transposing instruments in the sense here. The trumpet however is usually a transposing instrument and is mentioned below. It is not the most common but there is a trumpet in C.
Pedal harp also belongs here. (It does not matter, that strings can only be shortened and therefore the unmodified pitch would sound C♭; the notation is non-transposed)
- Octave above - piccolo.
- Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
- E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
- Alto sax - major 6th below.
- Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
- Alto Clarinet - major 6th below
F
- French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
- I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
G
- Alto flute
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
- Many. This seems to be the most common case.
- Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
- Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
(Copied over from the question for easier editing.)
C - Non-transposing or by whole octaves
At concert pitch - too many to mention.
Many brass instruments, e.g. the trombone and tuba, may be described as being in B♭, E♭, F, etc. However, their parts are normally written at concert pitch and hence they are not transposing instruments in the sense here. The trumpet however is usually a transposing instrument and is mentioned below. It is not the most common but there is a trumpet in C.
Pedal harp also belongs here. (It does not matter, that strings can only be shortened and therefore the unmodified pitch would sound C♭; the notation is non-transposed)
- Octave above - piccolo.
- Octave below - double bass and double bassoon. Also guitar and bass guitar.
D♭
Some piccolos. So, an octave and minor second above?
D
It is not the most common but there is trumpet in D.
E♭
- E♭ clarinet - minor 3rd above.
- Alto sax - major 6th below.
- Baritone sax - octave and major 6th below.
- Alto Clarinet - major 6th below
F
- French horn and cor anglais - Fifth below
- I have a tin whistle labeled G but, as explained in A♭, this could be regarded as transposing in F. A fourth above.
G
- Alto flute
A♭
I have a tin whistle which is labeled B♭ but this refers to its lowest note which is D on a standard whistle. So, if treated as a transposing version of the common D whistle, it would be a major 3rd below and hence in A♭.
A
A clarinet and oboe d'amour - minor 3rd below
B♭
- Many. This seems to be the most common case.
- Trumpet, B♭ clarinet, soprano sax - a major second below.
- Bass clarinet and tenor sax - Octave and a major second below.
edited 18 hours ago
community wiki
6 revs, 5 users 88%
guidot
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
Thanks. So, should people edit this to add further information?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 16:34
2
2
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
I'd say yes. Actually, you c(sh)ould just remove the list from your question; it's irrelevant now.
– user45266
Apr 13 at 6:23
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
This list says Harp (in c#). What type of harp are you talking about? A concert harp is a non-transposing instrument.
– Lars Peter Schultz
yesterday
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@LarsPeterSchultz: harp moved with a bit of explanation.
– guidot
19 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
@guidot, great.
– Lars Peter Schultz
18 hours ago
add a comment |
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Guitar is an octave-below transposing instrument
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 14:59
@DavidBowling Thanks. I don't often see guitar music written in standard notation so I did not know. How about the bass guitar? I think that I have seen that written in bass clef as you would for a double bass.
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:03
That's right, bass guitar too
– David Bowling
Apr 12 at 15:07
@DavidBowling So, if standard notation is used, is guitar music written an octave up in the treble clef?
– badjohn
Apr 12 at 15:10
4
The specific question on Trombone is well focused, but the general request for “additions and corrections” is not a good match to the SE format.
– Dave
Apr 12 at 15:47