Name two common transposing instruments in a wind ensemble.

• A. Flute and Piccolo
• B. Clarinet in Bb and Bassoon
• C. Tuba and Euphonium
• D. Trumpet in Bb and Horn in F

Answer: (D)

Transposing instruments read music in a different pitch than what sounds. In wind ensembles, two of the most common examples are trumpet in Bb and horn in F. The trumpet in Bb sounds a whole step lower than written (written C sounds like concert B-flat), which lets players use familiar fingerings while the ensemble stays in tune with concert pitch. The horn in F sounds a perfect fifth lower than what is written (a written C would produce an F below), placing its rich middle and lower range in balance with the rest of the ensemble. Because these two instruments are staple parts and are routinely written in transposed clefs and keys, they’re classic examples of transposing instruments.