(Contra)Bassoon Bb Bass Eb Bass
(Tuba) (Tuba)
Trombone Bb Trombone Eb Cornet
Euphonium/Baritone
Tuba
Strings (inc. Harp)
Piano/Organ
Guitars
Table 6 - Summary of Common Instruments by Written Clef
TREBLE BASS ALTO
Flutes Bassoons Viola
Recorders (tenor and above) Recorders (bass & below) Cello (sometimes)
Clarinets Trombones Bassoons (sometimes)
Saxophones Euphonium/Baritone
Oboes Tubas
Trumpets Cello
Horns Basses/Bass Guitars
Violin Keyboards/Harp (LH)
Guitars
Keyboards/Harp (RH)
General rules for transposing instruments:
Bb: add 2 sharps to concert key signature
Eb: add 3 sharps to concert key signature (Eb parts in treble clef can be read by C instruments
in bass clef, with the appropriate time signature addition)
F: add 1 sharp to concert key signature
G: add 1 flat to concert key signature
A: add 3 flats to concert key signature
Arrangement in a score
In a score, instruments are arranged by section, and roughly by pitch within this. Brackets are
used around several staves to indicate sections. Occasionally, sub-brackets are used to indicate
specific groups of instruments (e.g. Eb, Bb, alto and bass clarinets). Specific instruments are
always arranged in order of pitch. Some reference layouts are included below.
Layout conventions will be stated below, and apply in all situations, except where noted.
Alternate conventions will be specified.
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