Instrument Ranges

See also the page on instrument transpositions.

All notes are written as transposed for each instrument. The first range shows the notes normally or easily played, and the second shows the full possible range which can be used if necessary.

Strings

Violin

Cello

Woodwinds

Piccolo

Flute

Clarinet

Saxophones

The alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone all have the same written range, although most modern baritone saxophones have an additional key which lets them play one semitone lower (A below the clef).

Bassoon

Brass

For brass players, playing at the very top of the range is tiring and cannot be done for extended periods.

Trumpet

French Horn

French horn parts are written in F on the treble clef but the playable range is low and close to the trombone.

Trombone

Euphonium/Baritone

E Flat Sousaphone

The E flat sousaphone range is given here in concert pitch (in C), although scores are often transposed into E flat.

B Flat Tuba and Sousaphone

B flat sousaphone and tuba parts are almost always written in C.
Sousaphone and tuba notes in the top half of the range can be played more quickly and loudly than those in the bottom half.

Percussion

Glockenspiel

Other

Accordion