Brainlag Plus
Brainlag PlusConcert pitch
Instruments in B flat, A and F, why their parts are written at a different pitch from the sound, and how to move between the written part and concert pitch.
Written notes and sounding notes
Concert pitch is the pitch that actually sounds: the pitch a piano plays. Most instruments sound exactly what is written. A transposing instrument sounds a different note from the one written in its part.
The name tells you what happens when the player reads a C:
- A clarinet in B flat reads C and sounds B flat, a major 2nd lower. So does a trumpet in B flat.
- A clarinet in A reads C and sounds A, a minor 3rd lower.
- A horn in F reads C and sounds F, a perfect 5th lower. So does the cor anglais.
| Instrument | Sounds, compared with the written note |
|---|---|
| clarinet in B flat, trumpet in B flat | a major 2nd lower |
| clarinet in A | a minor 3rd lower |
| horn in F, cor anglais | a perfect 5th lower |
The exam always gives you the interval of transposition, but knowing these makes every question quicker.
The rest of this lesson and its 5 practice questions are in Plus.
Screen 1 of 4, free to read.
- 5 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
- Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards