Instruments of the Orchestra

Woodwind

Instrument Notes Clefs used Written Range Transposing? Sounding pitch Common Variants

Piccolo - sounds an octave

Flute No reed. Treble clef No
higher than written

Cor Anglais - sounds a 5th

Oboe Double Reed Treble clef No
lower than written

Single Reed. N.B.

Clarinet in B flat -
the clarinet can
Clarinet Treble clef sounds a Major (E flat clarinet)
play alto parts, as
2nd lower
well as treble.

Clarinet in A -
sounds a Minor
3rd lower

Bass and tenor

Bassoon Double Reed No (Double Bassoon)
clefs
 Instruments of the Orchestra

Brass

Instrument Notes Clefs Used Written Range Transposing? Sounding pitch Common Variants

Horns are often

found in
French Treble clef (Bass
orchestral scores Yes
Horn in F clef for low notes)
with other
transpositions

Sometimes
Trumpet in
written in other Treble clef Yes
B flat
transpositions

Bass Trombone (also non-

Tenor Bass and tenor
No transposing) - range is slightly
Trombone clefs
lower

Tuba Bass clef No

Strings
 Instruments of the Orchestra

Strings

Instrument Notes Clefs Used Written Range Transposing? Sounding pitch Common Variants

The are two

sections of
Violin violins in an Treble clef No
orchestra - 1sts
and 2nds

Viola Alto clef No

Although the
cello often plays
the bass line, it is Bass and tenor
Cello No
also comfortable clefs
in the tenor
range

Yes - sounds an
Double Bass Bass clef octave lower than
written