If we ask several instruments to play a C, we may notice that the note that we hear is not always a C. This may surprise you, but the fact is that if you play a C in a Bb clarinet you will hear a Bb and not a C.

The clarinet in Bb as well as some other instruments are called transposing instruments because played notes sound higher or lower than the written notes.

In this article we will take a look at the most common transposing instruments and learn how to read and write music for these instruments.

Transposing Instruments Basics Reading Transposing Instruments Music Writing Transposing Instrument Music