Trombone Key
Why are some instruments keyed in a different key than their music is written?
For instance, trumpet is in C but its music is in E flat. Trombone is in B flat but its music is written in C.
Woodwinds--
Most instances of Woodwind transpositions come as a result of trying to make it easier to play. One answer mentioned the saxaphone and clarinet having similar fingerings. This is so that one can relatively easily switch between one and another. The saxaphone takes this a step further. All four of the saxes (soprano, alto, tenor, bari) read the same music (in treble clef). They could each look at the same piece of music and play with the exact same fingering. The difference is in what comes out. When the soprano plays a C, a B flat one major step down comes out, when a alto plays a C, a E flat one minor sixth down comes out, a tenor will get a B flat an octave+major second to come out, a bari a E flat one octave+minor sixth down to come out.
The reason for the saxes tranposing is the sax is an instrument that was invented to be easily played. In early big bands and dance bands, a player would often switch around, playing many different woodwinds in one night. If each of the saxes have the same fingerings and read the same music, all the saxophonist has to do is pick up his new instrument, adjust his neckstrap, and start playing. This essentially holds true for all families, such as clarinets and flutes.
Brass--
Brass transpose for different reasons. One reason is how they evolved. French horns use to come in many keys, and a different one would be played for each key. Eventually a non-C horn was chosen as the standard instrument. Horn players will often get parts written in different keys than their horn (such as a B flat part for a F horn), and the horn player has to transpose the music as he goes along. That is a bit weird to me, why don't they just make all music for horns be written for F horns? I don't play the horn, so it's not my problem.
Going back to the woodwind reasoning, convenience can be a reason. Trumpets and baritones will share the same fingering, if the baritone is reading a treble clef part. However, the baritone sounds the same range as the trombone, which requires a bass clef part. So to allow trumpets to switch easily to a bass clef instrument, they just make the music in treble clef (it also allows them to only learn one clef). Other instruments share fingerings.
Sound is one final reason. A B flat and an E flat trumpet will have slightly different sounds. They will both have the same range, notes, and fingerings, just a different timber.
Hope this long winded answer helps.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave @ The Key Club 7.17.08 - pt 1
 |
 Two Trombone Water Key Corks Fit Many $4.99 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 15m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 NEW GLORY Eb Key Concert TROMBONE w Case Brass $99.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 9m |
 new brass alto Trombone outfit Bb key ON SALE $79.90 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $79.90 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Piston 3 Valve Trombone Key Bb Polyfoam Case 85 Bell 1166L $317.00 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 11m Buy It Now for only: $317.00 Buy It Now |
 Professional gold Trombone Bb F key cupronickel Tuning Slide horn with case $427.00 Time Remaining: 21d 14h 24m Buy It Now for only: $427.00 Buy It Now |
 New King Trombone Water Key Spit Valve Spring $4.95 Time Remaining: 24d 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now |
 M 210 C TROMBONE KEY CHAIN jewelry 24k goldplt ring keychain I love trombones $21.74 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 17m Buy It Now for only: $21.74 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Piston 3 Valve Trombone Key of C Yamaha Kit 1168C Case $397.00 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 24m Buy It Now for only: $397.00 Buy It Now |
 2 Genuine YAMAHA Trombone Water Key Cork Fit others too $3.77 Time Remaining: 4h 48m Buy It Now for only: $3.77 Buy It Now |
 New nickel plate Marching Trombone Bb Key brass body $249.90 Time Remaining: 22d 18h 40m Buy It Now for only: $249.90 Buy It Now |
 Yamaha Trombone Water Key Spit Valve set w Cork spring YSL 100154200354356 $9.99 Time Remaining: 19d 12h 42m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 2 genuine Conn Water Key Corks Trumpet Cornet flugelhorn Trombone Baritone more $5.80 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 11m Buy It Now for only: $5.80 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Piston 3 Valve Trombone Key Bb Yamaha Kit Case 85 Bell 1166L $317.00 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 24m Buy It Now for only: $317.00 Buy It Now |
 sound tuning slide Bass Trombone kit Bb F Eb G D Key professional for musicians $549.90 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 25m Buy It Now for only: $549.90 Buy It Now |
 WATER KEY spit valve PART for a Blessing B88 F Attachment Trombone $12.00 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 31m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now |
 New Yamaha Trombone Water Key Spit Valve Assembly Set $13.95 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 51m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 Buy It Now |
 Genuine YAMAHA Trombone Water Key Set $10.00 Time Remaining: 12d 13h 8m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 New Bach Stradivarius Trombone Water Key Spit Valve Spring $5.95 Time Remaining: 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 Buy It Now |
 New King Trombone Water Key Spit Valve Assembly $36.95 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $36.95 Buy It Now |
 2 Jupiter Trombone Water Key Rubber Cork Fits others $3.88 Time Remaining: 23d 7h Buy It Now for only: $3.88 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Piston 3 Valve Piston Trombone Key of C polyfoam Case 8 Bell $397.00 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 11m Buy It Now for only: $397.00 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Piston ValveTrombone Key of Bb Nickel Polyfoam CASE 1167 $343.00 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 11m Buy It Now for only: $343.00 Buy It Now |
 New Vintage King Trombone Water Key Holder with Small Pin Rare $24.95 Time Remaining: 9d 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now |
 2 genuine King Water Key Corks trumpet cornet flugelhorn trombone baritone more $5.50 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 45m Buy It Now for only: $5.50 Buy It Now |
 AL CASS FAST VALVE SLIDE KEY OIL FOR YAMAHA TROMBONE $3.99 Time Remaining: 25d 9h 7m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 2 Genuine YAMAHA Trombone Water Key Corks see listing for models and dimensions $6.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 45m Buy It Now for only: $6.00 Buy It Now |
 Windsor LTBMO Student Trombone Case and Mouthpiece Bb Key $169.99 Time Remaining: 20d 12h 3m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 Buy It Now |
 Rossetti Trombone Key of Bb Lacquer w Nickel Slide Case 1165A $197.00 Time Remaining: 22d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $197.00 Buy It Now |
 MBH1405 Trombone Key chain miniature instrument Wooden Size 45 cm With case $49.99 Time Remaining: 16d 58m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 Buy It Now |
 High Grade Student New Children Alto Trombone Eb key Horn $220.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 39m Buy It Now for only: $220.00 Buy It Now |
 SEXY SHOWGIRL PLAYS TROMBONE RARE EXC COND 1936 DOUBLEWEIGHT KEY BOOK PHOTO $69.95 Time Remaining: 12d 2h 26m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 Buy It Now |
 professional tenor tuning slide Trombone kit Bb Key for new $549.90 Time Remaining: 16d 4h 15m Buy It Now for only: $549.90 Buy It Now |
 SCHILLER American Heritage VALVE TROMBONE Key of C Gold Lacquer $485.00 Time Remaining: 13d 11h 46m Buy It Now for only: $485.00 Buy It Now |
 MICRO KEY USED OIL VERY OLD ANTIQUE COLLECTABLE BOTTLE SEE MY STORE TODAY 4MOR $36.98 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 17m Buy It Now for only: $36.98 Buy It Now |
 professional Bass Tuning Slide TromboneBb F Eb G D Key $499.90 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 32m Buy It Now for only: $499.90 Buy It Now |
 Schiller American HERITAGE VALVE TROMBONE Key of Bb Gold Lacquer $485.00 Time Remaining: 12d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $485.00 Buy It Now |
 Student New Children Alto Trombone Eb key Horn with Case Mouthpiece $290.00 Time Remaining: 12d 2h 40m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 Buy It Now |
 new brass Tenor Trombone outfit Bb key $149.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 15m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 Buy It Now |
 High quality Silver Nickel Bb key Slide trumpet horn Mini trombone with case $286.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 17m Buy It Now for only: $286.00 Buy It Now |
 Alto Trombone Eb key with case and mouthpiece $174.00 Time Remaining: 2d 11h 16m Buy It Now for only: $174.00 Buy It Now |
 Backatown Sale Price: $11.45  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTroy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews' Is A Rare Artist Who Can Draw Both The Unqualified Respect Of Jazz Legends And Deliver A High-Energy Rock Show Capable Of Mesmerizing International Rock Stars And Audiences Alike...  |
 Keychain with tuba, music, playing, elephant, trombone, animal Sale Price: $2.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product Description* Durable acrylic key chain is crystal-clear and double-sided so the artwork or message is seen twice.* Sturdy metal ring holds your keys securely.* Full color printed images or messages are included... |
 Trombone - Set Of 6 Key Chains List Price: Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $2.00 (7%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTrombone Key Chain is new, measuring 2.25w x 2.25h x 1/8d. Key Chain Tag has a glossy finish and comes with a hole for hardware. Our new key hanger makes an attractive decoration for any household, plus keeps keys organized and easy to find... |
 Trombone Key Chain - 24k Gold Plated Sale Price: $15.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 An Introduction To ? Ravel: Bolero And Ma Mere L'Oye: Section 20: Key Now Lurches Back To C, As Jazzy Trombones Whiningly Protest Sale Price: $0.89 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 Premium Import 93728 7/16 Dis X 4" Long 1/4" Mag Bit Hldr Sale Price: $13.87 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBit Holders Type: Bit Holder Overall Length: 4 |
 Silver Plastic Toy Trumpet 16.5" by Bontempi Sale Price: $15.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBontempi's toy trumpet has four keys that can play different notes. The keys are color coded with seven different colors and have three easy to play songs printed on the back of the box for instruction... |
 Personalized Keychain or Magnet - Music Teacher - Male or Female Sale Price: $3.95 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionCustomize the print on the keychain or magnet with the music teacher's name and school, and you've created a unique gift without spending a fortune! |
 The Best of Boston Pops List Price: Sale Price: $9.96 You save: $0.02 (%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
