Read NotesLanguageA short note-reading practice
Transposing instruments: written vs sounding pitch
The note printed in an instrumental part and the note you hear are not always the same. Keep two questions separate: what pitch is written, and what pitch does this particular instrument sound?
Pitch labels use C–D–E–F–G–A–B; middle C is C4.
Read the written pitch first
Written pitch is the note named by the clef, staff position, key signature and any accidental. Sounding pitch is the pitch actually heard, also called concert pitch. First identify the note on the page. Then apply the transposition for the named instrument. Here, middle C is C4.
Use a B-flat clarinet as the first example
A standard B-flat clarinet sounds a major second lower than written. Written C4 sounds B♭3, written D4 sounds C4, and written E4 sounds D4. The direction matters: when you start with the written part, move down to find the sound. The quiz below only asks you to name the written notes.
The instrument name does not replace the octave
An E-flat alto saxophone sounds a major sixth below written pitch, so written C4 sounds E♭3. A B-flat tenor saxophone sounds a major ninth below written pitch, so written C4 sounds B♭2. It does not have the same octave relationship as a B-flat clarinet. Identify the exact instrument, not just its B-flat or E-flat label.
Remember octave transposition too
Standard guitar notation sounds one octave below written pitch: written E5 sounds E4. The letter stays the same, but the octave is different. When comparing an instrument part with a piano or a tuner, decide whether you are comparing written or sounding notes before calling an answer wrong.
Check with three notes
Name the written C4, D4 or E4 on the treble staff. Do not convert your quiz answer to a clarinet's sounding pitch. Afterward, use the examples above to say the corresponding B-flat clarinet sounds aloud: B♭3, C4 and D4.
Which pitch is written, before transposition?
Notation references
Continue in the app
Use the guitar practice in Read Notes to connect a written note with its sounding octave. The clarinet and saxophone examples on this page teach the principle; they do not mean the app offers dedicated courses for those instruments.
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