Ranges & Transpositions

The table below shows the audible range of each voice or instrument rather than the written range. This should make it easier to compare them. The approximate divisions into types or families should also help. Where more than one name or pitch is in common use, both are shown. A paler colour is used for possible but difficult to reach notes at the ends of the range. A paler colour is also used for notes between the string tunings of instruments such as the Violin and Guitar.

A transposing instrument is one for which the audible and written ranges are not the same. Usually it is because the natural pitch of the instrument is not C. For example, the standard Clarinets are in Bb and A. Sometimes it is simply for convenience of staff notation. The Piccolo would require too many notes in alt, even with the Treble Clef, if shown at true pitch. Occasionally, however, it is for bizarre historical reasons. This is the case with the Tenor Voice and Guitar.

Other instruments have a natural pitch other than C but are not treated as transposing. For instance, players of the Trombones and Treble Recorder are supposed to know the necessary fingerings. Also a few instruments can be notated in more than one way. The Tenor Voice can be written at true pitch on the Bass Clef or an octave higher on the Treble Clef. In these cases, the commonest transposition is shown. Of course this doesn't always indicate the choice of clef. Viola parts may use Alto or Tenor C Clefs. Historically, use of the Tenor Clef helped Violin players to play the Viola by putting open strings in the same positions on the staff.

Where the audible and written ranges differ, this difference is shown in brackets. Firstly, the note produced when playing a written C (if not still a C). Secondly, the number of semitones (+ or -) from each written to heard note. Most transposing instruments sound lower than written and therefore have a -ve difference. This is especially true of the commonest of the brass family (Trumpets and Horns). A few sound higher than written and thus have a +ve difference This is true for much of the Recorder family (including the Treble when written for Descant players).

The note commonly called "middle C" (because it is written centred between treble and bass clefs) is shown here in the central octave labelled 'X'. It has a pitch of approx 256Hz (depending on tuning) and a MIDI code of 3C (60 decimal).