Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2021-08-27 21:16
FWIW, English Horn and Oboe d'Amore are both written as transposing instruments, while oboes themselves are saddled with whatever key signature is in force and whatever chromatic notes the composer writes. Same with alto flute (bass flute is written an octave higher but the note names are the same as "concert" pitches). Outside of fairly advanced groups, mostly orchestras, you don't run into these very much.
Of course, trumpets and horns are written as transposing instruments because the originals had no valves and could only play notes in their natural harmonic series.
So, just as a tangential thought, is there a bassoon that is written as a transposing instrument (not counting the contra, which is only an octave)?
Given the historical decision to keep clarinet and low woodwind fingerings consistent, I've always wondered why F recorders (alto and bass) are not transposed. Players do have to learn two sets of fingerings (very similar to the two registers of a clarinet).
Karl
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The Clarinet BBoard
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