![]() So what we now think of as a tenor trombone with B♭ in first position, pitched at A=440 was actually thought of as a trombone in A (in first position), pitched at A=466. The tenor trombones that survive are pitched closest to B♭ at A=440 Hz, which is the same as A at A=466 Hz. Praetorius describes an alto in D, tenor in A, and bass in D.In 1687, Daniel Speer's Grund-richtiger concurs with these notes for the slide all the way in (while describing pushing the slide out a bit to get the C). ![]() 1600) teaches trombonists that first position gives A, E, A, C, E and G. 1600).Īurelio Virgiliano's Il dolcimelo (c. High pitch is also seen in Renaissance wind bands. Fellow church instruments that are fixed pitch-cornetts and organs-were pitched at approximately A=460–480 Hz ("Chorton") across Europe in the Renaissance and baroque eras.There are many examples of evidence for this: But it does mean that the baroque and renaissance repertoire was intended to be played at the higher pitch. This change did not require a change in the instrument, merely a new set of slide positions for each note. There was a transition around the 18th century when trombones started to be thought of in B♭ at around 440 Hz. Until some time in the 18th century, the trombone was in A and the pitch of that A was about a half-step higher than it is today-460–480 Hz. The same would apply to other wind instruments as well. One reason is probably that trombones used to be pitched in A and D, with A at roughly 466 Hz, and the pitch standard changed around them. Why are brass instruments more comfortable with flat keys?Ĭould B♭ instruments be built in C? Why are they in B♭ in the first place? These related posts do not answer my question: Why are band instruments built in B-flat and E-flat, while orchestral instruments are in C and F? I understand that it makes a lot of sense to have a family of instruments built in alternating keys that are a perfect 4th/5th apart, but I don't understand why Bb and Eb are chosen for band instruments. Saxophones 2: soprano (Bb), alto (Eb), tenor (Bb), baritone (Eb), etc.ġ The "military band" tubas come in Eb bass and Bb contrabass, whereas "orchestral" tubas come in F bass and C contrabass.Ģ Saxophones originally came in two sets of seven instruments: a "military band" set alternating between Bb and Eb, and an "orchestral" set in C and F (this second set has not really survived).Tubas: euphonium/tenor (Bb), bass (Eb) 1, contrabass (Bb) 1.Saxhorns: flugelhorn (Bb), alto/tenor (Eb), baritone (Bb).The key that they are built in sets the sound of the lowest open note.) (Whether these instruments are treated as transposing instruments or not is irrelevant. Instruments in a military bands (and similar) are usually built in the keys of B-flat or E-flat.
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