What is the transposition for horn in F?

• A. Sounds a perfect fourth higher than written
• B. Sounds a minor sixth higher than written
• C. Sounds a major third lower than written
• D. Sounds a perfect fifth lower than written

Answer: (D)

For the horn in F, the written part is higher than what the instrument actually sounds. The horn’s sounding pitch is a perfect fifth lower than the note written. So if you see written C, the horn will produce concert F. To get a desired concert pitch, you write a note a perfect fifth higher than that pitch on the horn part. That means the transposition is downward a perfect fifth from written to sounding. For example, to produce concert C, you would write G for the horn. This matches the correct description: the horn in F sounds a perfect fifth lower than written.