this has been on my mind..

[Claiken]

this isnt really flute related but is music related:

ok, so you know how a flute is a C instrument? a c on the flute is a C on the piano?

well.. on a trumpet, the C is a Bb on the piano. but....

instead of putting instruments in different keys and making transposing needed.... why dont they just call that fingering for the trumpet Bb instead and move it down on the staff??

like, why make things so complicated???

im taking brass techniques and thats been on my mind for about 2 months now. does anyone know??

[Phineas]

Very simple, fingering.

A very good example of this is the Saxophone. Even though saxophones come in Bb, Eb, and C, the fingering related to what is written are exactly the same on each instrument. This is actually a benefit for the players who double on the same instrument in different keys. Even in brass instruments this rule applies.

In the old days, it was worse. In a given calss of instruments, every one had a different Clef (Bass, Tenor, Alto, Treble). Imagine how complicated that was!

I am sure other people will have comments, stay tuned!

Phineas

[pied_piper]

Claiken, your comment about the flute being a C instrument is correct for the usual soprano flute that is used in orchestra and band, but they come in other flavors too: There is an Eb flute (although it's not too common) and of course the alto flute which is in G as are some of the very low contrabass flutes.

For the trumpet, Bb is the norm for band, but C trumpets are more commonly used in orchestra. Most pro orchestral trumpeters carry both so that they don't have to transpose while playing one or the other.

Phineas is exactly right about the fingering. It makes it easier to play other instruments in the same family by keeping the fingering consistent and writing transposed parts.

Recorders are an exception to this. The fingering for the soprano recorder is very similar to the the soprano flute, but for the sopranino and alto recorder, the parts are written in concert pitch and the player must use different fingerings, essentially transposing while playing.

For more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transposing_instruments

[Claiken]

but, wouldnt the fingering still be similar regardless of how they see it on the staff?? like, a C on trumpet is open (concert Bb). and on the horn that im learning now (Bb single horn) the fingering for F (concert Bb) is also open. so weather they see an F and a C, or 2 Bbs, theyre still similar right?

know what i mean?