Instruments such as a trumpet and clarinet (tuned to Bb) and alto saxophone (tuned to Eb) require transposing. For example, when the written note C is played on a trumpet, it is the same note as an Bb on a piano. Other instruments requiring transposing include English horn, alto flute, baritone sax, and French horn.
Continue reading →When is a C not a C? It’s not a riddle or a trick question. It’s
a musical principle. The answer is: a C is not a C when you’re
playing a transposing musical instrument. And it’s not the
instrument that transposes, unfortunately — some arranger or
the player himself must do that.
Transposition is changing the key of a piece of music, or changing the notes without changing their relationship. This is often done to make the piece of music easier to play or sing. It’s a common practice in bands that don’t perform their own material; the singer may wish to cover a song with vocals that are far out of his or her range. Transposition can correct that problem by shifting the key into a range that is comfortable for him or her.
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