Beginner's Orchestration

Part 2 -- Transposition

Transposition
When notes are moved up or down usually in reference to Concert Pitch, without changing their types or arrangement. Concert Pitch is the main pitch all instruments are tuned to play or focus on. Often is whatever the composer desires.

If an instrument requires specific transposition, it's mentioned below and also in the instrument's description further on, so don't worry about memorising anything.

e.g. Contralto Clarinet sounds an octave plus Major 6th below notation, therefore transpose the notes an octave plus Major 6th upwards in notation. An octave plus Major 6th is thirteen semitones total, so raise the notes twelve times up the score, as you also count the semitone's default position it's already on.

Basically, whenever using Dorico, don't forget about ♭ and ♯. Some instruments can play a note to ♯♯♯ or ♭♭♭, or sound better with them, so don't shy repeating these symbols whenever transposing to see how they blend.

You can also look up instrument transposition charts online.

If you don't get it, don't worry; what you eyes don't understand, your ears will hear.

You can easily transpose notes in Dorico SE or MIDI tracks by dragging and dropping a box around the notes you wish to move. If instruments still sound off, play the section on loop while transposing notes until they blend well to your taste.

Although the composer may transpose at any degree desired, many instruments have specific transpositions from Concert Pitch that should be heeded:

Instrument —————— Transposition ————— Clef

Woodwinds
Piccolo ——————— down Perfect Octave —— Treble

C Flute ——————— n/a —————————— Treble

Alto Flute —————— up Perfect 4th ————— Treble

Bass Flute —————— up Perfect Octave ——— Treble

Contra Alto Flute ——— up Perfect 11th ————— Treble

Contrabass Flute ——— up Perfect 15th ————— Treble

Oboe ———————— n/a —————————— Treble

Oboe d'Amore ———— up Minor 3rd —————— Treble

English Horn ————— up Perfect 5th ————— Treble

Heckelphone ————— up Perfect Octave —— Bass, Tenor

Bassoon ——————— n/a ———————— Bass, Tenor

Contrabassoon ———— up Perfect Octave ———— Bass

E♭ Clarinet —————— down Minor 3rd ————— Treble

B♭ Clarinet —————— up Major 2nd —————— Treble

Clarinet in A —————— up Minor 3rd —————— Treble

Alto Clarinet —————— up Major 6th —————— Treble

Bass Clarinet ————— up Major 9th —————— Treble

Contra Alto Clarinet ——— up Major 13th ————— Treble

Contrabass Clarinet ——— up Major 16th ————— Treble

Sopranino Recorder ——— down Perfect Octave —— Treble

Soprano Recorder ——— down Perfect Octave ——— Treble