Range of Instruments

Ranges of Orchestral Instruments

This table is offered only to show general information about the performing ranges of
particular instruments. There are a number of variations in the type and manufacture of
instruments as well as the ability of different performers. More specific information can be
found in Norman Del Mar's , Anatomy of the Orchestra; Gardner Read's , Thesaurus of
Orchestral Devices; Kent Kennan's , The Technique of Orchestration; and Philip J. Lang's ,
Scoring for the Band. But, perhaps the best resource in a particular case would be the
instrumentalists of your ensemble.
Quicklinks: WOODWINDS - BRASS - PERCUSSION - KEYBOARD - STRINGS

INSTRUMENT

CLEF(s)

SOUNDING
WRITTEN
(transposition) COMMENTS
RANGE
(C4=middle C) ...than written

WOODWINDS
Piccolo

D4-C7

C: 1 octave
higher
Db: minor 9th
higher

C4-D7

Professional model flutes may

employ a B-footjointwhich
allows them to play 1/2 step
lower.
There are a few isolated
instances of a low Bb in the flute
literature but these are rare.

Alto Flute(in G)

C4-C7

The Alto Flute is sometimes

incorrectly referred to as a Bass
Flute. There are also a number of
other designs for low-pitched
fluteswhich are not generally
used in an orchestra except for
special situations.

Oboe

Bb3-A6

Flute(in C) or
Querfloete

a Perfect 4th
lower

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Oboe d'amore

Bb3-E6

a minor 3rd
lower

English Horn

B3-G6

a Perfect 5th
lower

Heckelphone/
Bass Oboe

A3-G6

1 octave lower

Clarinets
(Bb-Eb-A)

E3-C7

Bb: a whole
step lower
A: a minor 3rd
lower
D: a whole
step higher
Eb: a minor
3rd higher

Basset Horn

C3-G6

a Perfect 5th
lower

Bass Clarinet in
Bb

and

Eb3(or C3)-G6

written in alto clef at concert

pitch in certain Russian scores. It
is similar in pitch and tone to the
earlier instrument, Oboe da
caccia.
Here is a comparison of three
instruments in this family.

Professional models can play

down to concert B-flat below
a 9th lower;
the bass staff (written C3).
a whole step
There are examples in the
lower when
classical literature, especially in
written in bass
19th century works, for Bass
clef
Clarinet in A or C and written in
Treble clef in
bass clef or a mixture of bass and
Bb
treble clefs. This is not advisable
transposition
for the modern composer as
is preferred
these instruments are rare to
modern
non-existent and this will only

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notation.

cause problems for the player

involved.

Bassoon

Bb1-Eb5

Contrabassoon
(Sarrusophone)

Bb1-Bb4

1 octave lower

Use of tenor clef for

contrabassoon is rare.

Bb3-G6

Bb soprano: a
whole step
lower
Eb alto: a 6th
lower
Bb tenor: a 9th
lower
Eb baritone: 1
octave+6th
lower
Bb bass: 1
octave+9th
lower

At one time there were a family

of saxophones in F and C but
they are no longer
manufactured.
There also exist some exotic
saxophones.

Saxophones

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS BRASS - PERCUSSION KEYBOARD - STRINGS

BRASS

Horn in F
(double horn)

Clef(s)

Written

F#2-C6

Sounding

a Perfect 5th
lower

Horns may be written in a

number transpositions: C, D, Eb,
E, F, G, A alto, Bb alto, Bb basso,
B(rare)
Among horn players,
transpositions are spoken of in
terms of the Horn in F (ex. Horn
in Eb is a whole step lower)
Orchestral horns have a double
tubing system constructed for
fundamental tones in F and Bb.
However, some use a single
tube system.
Tuben or Wagner tubas are

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Tuben,
Wagner tubas
(double tuben
shown here)

inBb
and

Bb: C3-G5
F: F2-D5

tenor in Bb: a
whole step
lower
bass in F: a
Perfect 5th
lower

inF

Trumpet

Piccolo Trumpet

played by horn players. Note

that valves are played with the
left hand.
The sounding pitch of a Bb tenor
instrument playing from a part
written in treble clef should be a
9th below the written note.
However, the practical
realizations of hornists are not
entirely consistent on this point.
ex. Stravinsky, Rite of Spring
Tuben also have parts written in
E-flat (sounding a 6th lower than
written) in The Ring of the
Niebelungen.

F#3-D6

C: (as written)
Bb: a whole
step lower
A: a minor 3rd
lower
G: a Perfect
5th higher
F: a Perfect
4th higher
E: a major 3rd
higher
Eb: a minor
3rd higher
D: a whole
step higher

for a detailed explanation of

trumpet characteristics, see Del
Mar, Anatomy of the Orchestra

F#3-G5

Bb: a minor
7th higher
A: major 6th
higher

sometimes written F#4-G6

Bb: sounding 1 step lower
A: sounding a minor 3rd lower

[cylindrical]
Clarino
trumpet
Trumpet with

Clarino Trumpet: for baroque

period and earlier; before the
invention of valves.
Trumpets with rotary valves are
generally used for 19th century
orchestral works.
Trumpet in F: very common in
19th century works.
Bass trumpet: plays in treble clef
in Bb or in *bass clef (sometimes

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Trumpet family:
cylindrical and
conical

*see note regarding

clef for bass trumpet

Alto Trombone

Trombone
(Tenor
Trombone)
Trombone (no
valve, straight)

Bass Trombone

rotary valves
Trumpet in F
Bass Trumpet
[conical]
Cornet in Bb
Flugelhorn
Posthorn
Pocket
Trumpet

tenor). Frequently played by a

trombone player.
Bb Cornet: transposition and
playing range, basically the
same as Bb Trumpet. Often used
in pairs with trumpets.
Flugelhorn: same as Bb trumpet
but not for upper range. More
mellow sound, softer.
Posthorn: not generally for
orchestral works but posthorn
(with valves) is scored in Mahler
Symphony No. 3.
Pocket trumpet: in Bb, generally
poor sound and intonation.

A2-G5

Used primarily, but not

exclusively, in 18th and 19th
century German orchestral
works.

E2-F5

Pedal tones G1-Bb1 are possible.

Use of the valve called the Ftrigger engages an additional
length of tubing and facilitates
pitches from F2 down to C2, or
B1 with the F-slide extended.
*British Brass Band music for
Trombones in Bb is written in
treble clef where the sounding
pitch is a 9th below the written
pitch.

*treble (see note)

Bb1-Bb4

*a 9th lower,
when written
in treble clef
as a Bb
transposing
instrument.

Trombones, especially Bass

Trombones come in a variety of
design configurations according
to manufacturer.
Although the name implies an
octave transposition - as in
contrabassoon or contrabass the contrabass trombone plays
at concert pitch, no
transposition. It is primarily
called for in a few select works of
Wagner, Strauss, Schoenberg

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Contrabass
Trombone

Tuba

Tenor tuba,

and Puccini.
Instruments are built with
fundamental tones of F, E-flat,
BBb, and others in first position.
The shape and design varies
from straight with slide handle
extension to double valve and
double slide models. The chioce
of which instrument is most
appropriate in any given
situation is the players chioce.
There is no standard
configuration of tubing for
Contrabass trombones.

Ab0-C5

Orchestral tubas play at concert

pitch regardless of the pitch of a
particular instrument.
In the British brass band
tradition,
Eb and Bb tubas are written in
treble clef.
The Eb tubas sound 1 octave+a
6th below the written note while
the Bb tubas sound 2 octaves
lower than written. The Bb tubas
are technically BBb (double-Bb)
tubas.
The F Tuba is a smaller, lighter
instrument primarily used for
solos.
Prior to the invention of the
modern tuba in 1835, the
ophecleide may have been used.

D1-F4

Bb1-Bb4 in

Bb: a whole
step lower in
bass as a

Both the German style Tenor

tuba and English style
Euphonium are common. They
are identical in pitch and
therefore interchangeable for all
practical purposes. This
instrument should not be
confused with the Bb or F
Wagner tuba (also called tenor
tuba) played by horn players,
though they have a similar
appearance. Note that valves on

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Euphonium

bass
sometimes tenor

transposing
instrument,
a 9th lower in
treble

the tenor tuba/euphonium are

played with the right hand.
When writing for this instrument
in bass clef, it is advisable to
notate at concert pitch. Tenor
clef may also be used.
In orchestral works prior to the
mid-20th century, the
euphonium written in bass clef
frequently employs B-flat
transposition. This is not
advisable in modern notation.
Quicklinks: WOODWINDS BRASS - PERCUSSION KEYBOARD - STRINGS

PERCUSSION

Clef(s)

Timpani
standard set of 4
drums

Written

in some cases of older notation,

timpani is written in C with the
root pitch indicated (ex. Timpani
in D)
Some timpani, ex. this highpitched drum , may have a gear
tuning mechanism.

20":F3 C4
23":D3 A3
26 25":Bb2 F3
29 28":F2 C3
32 30":D2 A2

Xylophone

F3-C7

Marimba

(C2 to A2)-C7

Orchestra Bells
also Glockenspiel

Sounding

G3-C6

1 octave
higher

some models of marimba have

extended lower ranges

2 octaves
higher

when notes exceed the range of

the instrument the effective
transposition is 1 octave higher.
The glockenspiel typically used
by marching bands is the same
instrument but has two fewer
notes on the bottom and three

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Range of Instruments

fewer on the top; mounted in a

lyre-type frame.

Vibraphone

F3-F6

Chimes

individual chimes may extend

the range of a standard set of
chimes

C4-F5

Guitar

E3-E6

Harp

Guitar, as with any string

instrument, may extend the
1 octave lower
upper range depending on the
player's ability.
Harp pedals operate a
mechanism by which each pedal
changes the pitch of all of the
strings of that pitch class: D-C-B-E-F-G-A

Cb1-F#7

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS BRASS - PERCUSSION KEYBOARD - STRINGS

KEYBOARD

Piano

Clef(s)

Written

Sounding

A0-C8

Celesta

C3-C7

Harpsichord

F1-F6

1 octave
higher

This instrument is sometimes

refered to as the Mustel celeste in
certain works of Tchaikowsky.
Mustel was the original
manufacturer.
The Keyboard Glockenspiel is
similar in sound and appearance
to the celesta but smaller.

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Harmonium

The harmonium is a small

portable organ.

F1-F6

Pipe Organ
console
grand staff
+ pedal staff

C2-C7 (on
tracker organs)
Pedals C2-G4
(F4 on German
organs)

Manuals, as
written (can
be 1 octave
lower or 2
octaves
higher with
registration);
Pedals, 1
octave lower
(can be up to
1 octave
higher with
registration.

These ranges also apply to

electronic organs that are
designed to simulate pipe
organs; non classical electronic
organs often have shorter than
standard manual and pedal
keyboards. (contrib. Randall
Wilkins)

Quicklinks: WOODWINDS BRASS - PERCUSSION KEYBOARD - STRINGS

STRINGS

Clef(s)/Tuning

Violin

Written

Sounding

G3-A7

no
transposition,
excepting
scordatura

C3-E6

no
transposition,
excepting
scordatura

treble clef is also

called violin clef

Viola

Cello

C2-C6

The Viola da Gamba is similar in

size to the cello but has 6
strings. It may be played by a
cellist but usually by a gamba
specialist. It is used in baroque

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period music.

Double Bass

C2-C5

Symphony Orchestra Library Center

Double basses occasionally play

in tenor or treble clefs(rare).
The lower range of a bass may
1 octave lower extend down to C by using a
mechanical extension . Some
basses have 5 strings to
accomodate the low C.

www.orchestralibrary.com

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