|
FAQs - band
instruments
woodwind &
brass instruments
- Transposing Instruments
[ Woodwind & Brass ]
Band instruments are often
labeled as having a specific tuning- such as Bb, Eb,
F, C, etc. Each tuning actually sounds a different pitch than the pitch that
they are reading on the music. If for example a Bb
instrument, such as a clarinet, would play from piano music (C tuning),
different notes would sound. For example, a D would sound when reading a C
from the music, for an Eb instrument an A would sound when
reading a C from piano music. This is why individual scores had been
transposed for each instrument in the orchestra. If the music for all
instruments was written in C tuning, too many ledger lines would be needed
for many instruments and the notes would be too far off the scale. That is
why music scores and band instruction books have been transposed for the
different instrument tunings. This greatly simplifies sight-reading.
- Q. In what pitches are
the various band and orchestral instruments tuned?
- A. See Instruments For
Each Key Chart. [Below]
|
Key |
Instruments |
|
C |
Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet
(C), Trombone, [Euphonium], Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass |
|
Eb |
Clarinet (Eb), Alto
Saxophone, Baritone, Saxophone, Cornet (Eb),
Alto Horn, Bass (Eb) |
|
F |
French Horn, English Horn |
|
Bb |
Clarinet (Bb), Soprano
Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet (Bb),
Cornet (Bb), Baritone, [Euphonium],
Bass (Bb) |
|
|
Q. When tuning with my
electronic tuner what pitch will show on the tuner, and what equivalent
note will I be playing for each note shown on by the tuner? |
|
|
A. This transposed tuning can cause a problem when buying
a tuner since all chromatic tuners are in C key. When the clarinet
player, for example, plays an A the tuner will register a B. When an
alto sax player plays an A, the tuner registers F#.
This can be very confusing. The chart provided here can be used to
identify the transposition of the popular band instrument tunings. See
Guide for Transposed Tuning Chart. [Below] |
|
Tuner Reads
(C Tuning) |
C |
D b |
D |
E b |
E |
F |
G b |
G |
A b |
A |
B b |
B |
|
C Instrument plays |
C |
D b |
D |
E b |
E |
F |
G b |
G |
A b |
A |
B b |
B |
|
Eb Instrument plays |
A |
B b |
B |
C |
C # |
D |
E b |
E |
F |
F # |
G |
G # |
|
F Instrument plays |
G |
A b |
A |
B b |
B |
C |
D b |
D |
E b |
E |
F |
F # |
|
Bb Instrument plays |
D |
E b |
E |
F |
F # |
G |
A b |
A |
B b |
B |
C |
C # |
Brass Instruments:
- Q. What do the
various sizes of brass mouthpieces mean?
- A. Download this manual
from Vincent Bach Co.. It is all you want to know about mouthpieces for
Brass Instruments.
Vincent Bach Mouthpiece
Manual PDF http://www.selmer.com/products/accessories/mouthpiece/Images/bachmouth.pdf
Woodwind Instruments:
- Q. What do the
various facings of woodwind mouthpieces mean?
- A. Generally these are
the facings:
No.2, medium close;
No.3, medium; No.4, medium open
Note: Not all
manufacturers and brands offer all possibilities. |
