I thought this would be a good way to clear up some information for our more novice instrumentalists. Have you ever searched Ichigo's and found sheet music, but it wasn't for the instrument that you play? You may actually still be able to play it. Many instruments are transposing instruments, meaning that the written notes are different then the 'concert pitch.' This is done so that the notes you read fall more-so on the staff and note ledger lines or because that is traditionally the transposition of the instrument. For more information, please read Transposing Instruments (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transposing_instrument).

The following are the common transpositions that are seen in novice settings. Note that these may not be THE transposition the instrument has, but is the most commonly seen transposition.


Flutes - C (Treble Clef)
Oboe - C (Treble Clef)
Bassoon - C (Bass Clef)
Clarinets - Bb
Alto Sax - Eb
Tenor Sax - Bb (written a major nineth higher than it sounds)
Bari Sax - Eb (written one octave plus a major sixth higher than it sounds)
Trumpets - Bb
Trombones - C (Bass Clef)
Euphonium/Baritones - C (Bass Clef)
Tuba - C (Bass Clef)
Piano - C (Grand Staff)
Violin - C (Treble Clef)
Viola - C (Alto Clef)
Cello - C (Bass Clef)
Bass - C (Bass Clef written 1 Octave higher than sounding)


So, if you play the flute and you see sheet music for C Instruments (Treble), that means it is probably in the same key as your flute. Now let's say you play the violin, but you see no sheet music that says C Instruments (Treble), but you do see sheet music for the piano. The piano and the violin are not transposing instruments, so the violin player can play the notes on the piano's treble staff and still sound in the same key.

Also you have to ask yourself, "Do I really need the sheet music transposed to my key?" If you are not playing along with a recording or another instrument, then you can still play the sheet music from any other transposition. It just won't sound in the original key. Not good if you are playing along with a recording or your friend who plays a different instrument, but perfectly fine for playing on your own.

Have any more questions about transposing instruments? Ask your instrumental instructor or someone from around the forums. That's what we're here for. ;)

I think this should be stickied. It will save a lot of unnecessary questions. :)

I agree.

note: since I see you put +1 octave lower for bass, I want to mention that the standard transpositions for tenor and bari sax are also + 1 octave lower (also Bari sax parts are written in treble clef as a result of this)

note: since I see you put +1 octave lower for bass, I want to mention that the standard transpositions for tenor and bari sax are also + 1 octave lower (also Bari sax parts are written in treble clef as a result of this)

Ah, I also noticed a mistake. I ment to say the bass is written an octave higher than it sounds. I updated my post to also include the transpositions of the tenor and bari saxes.

Watch... someone is going to ask us to transpose or rearrange an arrangement for their instrument despite having this stickied thread. Just watch :shifty:

Its more than likely. The best we can do is give them a pat on the back and point them in the right direction. ;)

Okay, so I have a question. Seeing as I'm a (probably lone) French hornist, what should I do? Just suck it up and go figure out how to transpose, or play in Bb as I have a double horn...? Sorry if this is a stupid question or one that's already been answered and I'm just not comprehending it.

I'll put up an image so it's easier to understand.

http://forums.ichigos.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=11288&stc=1&d=1284836974

Your horn is transposed to F. It is perfect 5th lower than written. Look at the first note in the piano staff and simply count 5 steps up including the note itself.

The way it is written looks different for the horn and piano, but they sound exactly the same. In this example, the song is in the key of F major. The horn will then be transposed 5 steps above F, which is now C.

If the key signature was in C major, then you transpose the horn 5 steps up and you get G (one sharp in the key signature).

...I'm feeling particularly slow. Is this saying there are specific keys to transpose music to for different instruments? I generally end up just printing violin or piano sheet music and transposing it in my head to bass clef...and then playing it on my cello.

Yes. Certain instruments have their music written in a way that C on their music sheet is a different note on the piano. However, if you look at the list, most instruments (including the cello) are pitched in C, which means C on the cello is C on the piano. The listed key is the equivalent sounding note on the piano when the particular instrument plays what is written as a C.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand how to do this... @.@ it's so confusing...

Putting aside range issues, it's not like a Bb instrument "can't" play a piece in E major written for an instrument in C. Just...a trumpet playing a flute's part would be the same melody a whole step down. If people are literally playing with recording or whatever this would be a problem but if you're just playing by yourself then I don't see why (outside of range issues) it's a big deal at all. I've read music off a trumpet's part before (was just chord symbols but still hard 'cause you have to transpose in your head instantly).

I'll tell you why it's a big deal. Some people want to play the songs in the key that they are supposed to be in and won't play it otherwise.

I'm one of these people. : ) (But I have synesthesia, so when I play it in another key it doesn't "look" right)

Thank you for this thread. This is good information for someone who wants to be a composer as they grow older.

On that note, for the other novice folk, the C and Bb instruments may also have a slightly different range. For example:

Flute-lowest note is Middle C (on the staff).
Oboe-Funnily enough, it's Bb below Middle C.
Violin: Lowest note is G below Middle C.

I've come across the occasional piece that is scored for a C instrument but is way too low for flute to play. So if you come across that, I usually tend to go up an octave for the WHOLE piece. Most of the time that isn't too much of a problem.