Question 1

What is a transposing instrument?

Accepted Answer

A transposing instrument is one where the written pitch differs from the concert (sounding) pitch. When a B♭ clarinet player reads a written C, the note that actually sounds is B♭ — a major second lower. Composers writing for orchestra or wind ensemble must account for each instrument's transposition to produce the correct sounding result.

Question 2

How do I convert a written B♭ clarinet pitch to concert pitch?

Accepted Answer

Subtract a major second (two semitones, one letter step down) from the written pitch. A written C5 on the B♭ clarinet sounds as B♭4 in concert pitch. To go the other way — from a desired concert pitch to the written note — add a major second upward.

Question 3

What is the transposition for Horn in F?

Accepted Answer

A horn in F transposes down a perfect fifth (seven semitones, four letter steps). A written C on the horn sounds as the F a fifth below in concert pitch. To find what to write for a desired concert pitch, raise that pitch by a perfect fifth.

Question 4

Why does the English horn (cor anglais) transpose like a horn in F?

Accepted Answer

The English horn is pitched in F — it is a larger, lower member of the oboe family that sounds a perfect fifth lower than written, exactly like the horn in F. Written C on the English horn sounds as the F below in concert pitch. The name "English horn" is a historical misnomer; it is neither English nor a horn.

Question 5

What instruments are covered in this trainer?

Accepted Answer

The trainer covers the standard transposing instruments: B♭ Clarinet (major second down), A Clarinet (minor third down), E♭ Clarinet (minor third up), Bass Clarinet in B♭ (major ninth down), Contrabass Clarinet in B♭ (two octaves + major second down), Horn in F (perfect fifth down), Trumpet in D (major second up), English Horn / Cor Anglais in F (perfect fifth down), Alto Flute in G (perfect fourth down), plus the four saxophones — Soprano in B♭ (major second down), Alto in E♭ (major sixth down), Tenor in B♭ (major ninth down) and Baritone in E♭ (octave + major sixth down). When "All instruments" is selected, a toggle lets you include or leave out the saxophones.

Transposing Instruments Trainer