Transposing Instruments Explained
On some instruments, the note you read is not the note you hear. That is transposition, and it is easier than it sounds.
The idea
A transposing instrument sounds at a different pitch from the written note. If a clarinettist reads and plays C, a piano playing the same sound plays B♭. The clarinettist does not need to think about that: the music is written to fit the instrument.
Quick reference
| Instrument | Written C sounds as | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ clarinet | B♭ | Major second lower |
| B♭ trumpet | B♭ | Major second lower |
| E♭ alto saxophone | E♭ | Major sixth lower |
| Guitar | C, an octave lower | Octave lower |
| Descant recorder | C, an octave higher | Octave higher |
| Glockenspiel | C, two octaves higher | Two octaves higher |
Why do these instruments transpose?
Instruments come in families of different sizes. Reading all of them at the same written pitch means a player can switch from a B♭ clarinet to an A clarinet without learning new fingerings. Octave transposition (guitar, recorder, glockenspiel) simply keeps notes on the stave.
Key signatures change too
A piece that sounds in C major is written for B♭ clarinet in D major (two sharps), and for E♭ alto saxophone in A major (three sharps). Band arrangers do this for you.
How the app handles it
Pick your instrument in the practice tool. The note on the stave is the written note you read; the audio and the microphone use the real, sounding pitch for your instrument.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to learn transposition as a beginner?
No. Read what is written and play it. Transposition matters when you play with a piano or non-transposing instruments.
What is concert pitch?
The pitch that actually sounds, on a piano for example.
Why does guitar transpose by an octave?
Guitar sounds an octave below where it is written, to keep the written part on the stave.