Transposing instrument
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A transposing instrument is a musical instrument for which music notation is not written at concert pitch. For example, playing a written middle C on a transposing instrument produces a pitch other th
Sheet music of the full score for Max Reger's Der 100. Psalm for choir, orchestra and organ. Staves for voices and for most concert-pitch instruments show a key signature of D major. Clarinets (2 Klarinetten in A) are shown with the appropriate transposition. French horns (4 Hörner in F) are shown transposed, but without a key signature, while trumpets (2 Trompeten in C) and timpani (3 Pauken in A C D) are written at concert pitch without key signatures.
Transposing examples
Concert pitch
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Concert pitch is the pitch reference to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a performance. Concert pitch may vary from ensemble to ensemble, and has varied widely over time. The ISO def
A circa 1932 Boosey & Hawkes 'Model 32' alto saxophone stamped 'LP' for Low Pitch (A=440 Hz). Saxophones tuned to A=456 Hz would be marked 'H', 'HP' or 'High Pitch'
A 1915 Buescher Truetone alto saxophone marked 'High Pitch' (A=456 Hertz). Saxophones tuned to A=440 Hz would be marked 'L', 'LP' or 'Low Pitch'
A 1927 Conn New Wonder Series 2 alto saxophone marked 'H' for 'High Pitch' (A=456 Hertz)