Transposing instruments Atlas Academy

Chinese instruments are written in c and sound as notated.

Turkish instruments are transposing and written a fourth higher than they sound.
Thus Kemene is written in treble clef a fourth higher than it sounds.
Good Turkish musicians are often able to transpose in their mind; therefore they
sometimes play from parts in c.

Duduk is a transposing instrument but the performer prefers to check which duduk(s)
he will use in each piece. Therefore it is best to write the part in c. If a composer has
definite ideas about which duduk(s) he wishes to be played, it may be helpful to provide
a transposed part as well.

Santur sounds as notated.

Tar is written in mezzo soprano clef and sounds as notated.

Kamancha is in d: the notation should be a major second lower than the actual sound.

European instruments are notated as usual.

- Piccolo is notated one octave lower than sound
- Clarinet in b flat is written a major second higher than sound; bass clarinet is notated
in treble clef one octave an a major second higher than sound
- Guitar is written in treble clef one octave higher than sound.
- Double bass is notated in bass clef one octave higher than sound.