transposing instrument

noun

1. a musical instrument played at a pitch different from that indicated in the score.

transposing instrument

noun

1. a musical instrument, esp a horn or clarinet, pitched in a key other than C major, but whose music is written down as if its basic scale were C major. A piece of music in the key of F intended to be played on a horn pitched in F is therefore written down a fourth lower than an ordinary part in that key and has the same key signature as a part written in C

Word History and Origins

Origin of transposing instrument¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The euphonium is treated by French and German composers as a transposing instrument; in England the real notes are usually written, except when the treble clef is used.

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The treble clef is used in notation, and in England the music for the cornet is usually written as sounded, but most French and German composers score for it as for a transposing instrument; for example, the music for the B♭ cornet is written in a key one tone higher than that of the composition.

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Like the clarinet, the clarina is a transposing instrument, for which the music must be written in a key a tone higher than that of the composition.

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Although the double bassoon is not a transposing instrument the music for it is written an octave higher than the real sounds in order to avoid the ledger lines.

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Like the clarinet, the basset horn is a transposing instrument, its music being written a fifth higher than the actual sounds.

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