Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS
|INSTRUMENT||CLEF(s)||WRITTEN RANGE (C4=middle C)||SOUNDING (transposition) ...than written||COMMENTS|
|D4-C7||C: 1 octave higher
Db: minor 9th higher
|C4-D7||Professional model flutes may employ a
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|
|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.
Here is a comparison of three instruments in this family.
|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.
|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.
There also exist some exotic saxophones.
|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)
However, some use a single tube system.
tenor in Bb: a whole step lower
bass in F: a Perfect 5th lower
|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 higherD: 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
cylindrical and conical
*see note regarding clef for bass trumpet
|[cylindrical]||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.
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,
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.
|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.
standard set of 4 drums
|in some cases of older notation, timpani is written in C with the root pitch indicated (ex. Timpani in D)
Some timpani, ex. this high-pitched drum, may have a gear tuning mechanism.
|F3-C7||1 octave higher|
|(C2 to A2)-C7|
Orchestra Bells also Glockenspiel
|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.
|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.|
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
|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||The harmonium is a small portable organ.|
+ 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)|
treble clef is also called violin clef
|G3-A7||no transposition, excepting scordatura|
|C3-E6||no transposition, excepting scordatura|
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.
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