If you ask a non-transposing instrument to play a C, they will sound a C. There are concert pitch instruments, also known as non-transposing instruments and transposing instruments. So, why is a C on the piano different from a C on the trumpet or the alto saxophone? The reason is 'transpositions'. The video above provides a seven minute summary of all of the transposing instruments, the reason why instruments are in different keys, and a handy formula to help you transpose from different instruments. When the piano plays a Bb, these instruments must play a minor third lower to produce the same pitch. The alto clarinet and the alto saxophone are in the key of Eb. When the piano plays a Bb, the french horn must play perfect fourth lower which is an F to produce the same pitch. When the piano plays a Bb, these instruments must play a major second higher than the piano pitch which is a C to produce the same pitch.

When these instruments play a C, it will sound the same as the C on the piano.Īn instrument in a transposing key means that their notes don't sound the same as the same notes on the piano.īb instruments include the clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, and euphonium. Concert key instruments include the piano, flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and keyboard percussion instruments.

Transposing instrumentsĪ concert key instrument means that their notes are the same on the piano. This means that if you play a Bb on the piano, you will need to play C on the clarinet to produce the same sound as the piano.Ĭlarinet transposition can be a tricky concept to understand, but hopefully this article will help transposition seem not so scary! Non-Transposing vs. The clarinet is a Bb transposing instrument. Clarinet transposition is a concept that every clarinet needs to learn and

E flat major scale french horn