There are 3 main ways of spotting a transposing instrument when you are reading sheet music: How to spot a transposing instrument when reading music If it sounds in B flat then the instrument is described as a B Flat instrument. When you play the most simple of scales on a woodwind instrument (covering all the sound holes and then uncovering them in sequence up the instrument) it is described as the C scale – however, it will not necessarily sound in “C”.Some wind instruments sound “better” when built in certain keys – they have a more pleasing tone.All subsequent notes played on the Alto Saxophone sound a major sixth lower than written. A “C” played on an Alto Saxophone in Eb will actually sound an “E flat” a major sixth below. Any note you play sounds a major second lower than written – an “A” played on the Trumpet would sound “G”. If you play a “C” on a Trumpet it will actually sound a “B Flat” – hence, why it is called a B Flat Trumpet. Let’s take a Trumpet in B Flat as another example. So, if you read a “C” and play a “C” on a B Flat Clarinet the note that sounds is a B flat and not a “C” – confused? I was baffled by this for a long time before I realised that, although it sounds complicated, it’s actually quite easy to grasp if you look at a few examples. What is a transposing instrument?Īn instrument where the note written differs from the note sounding is called a transposing instrument. These are called transposing instruments. However, there are some instruments you will come across when learning how to read music where the note that sounds is different from the note which is written. When you are playing an instrument like a piano or a flute, if you read a “C” and play a “C” then the note will sound as a “C” – seems logical really! These instruments are said to be at concert pitch.
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