Music Composition DUMmIES

Non-Transposing Instruments ....................................................................

With non-transposing instruments, what you write down on paper is the note

you’re going to hear. Hurray! The only thing you have to take into considera-

tion, then, is the actual range of the instrument you’re writing for — that, and

the physical capabilities of the performers on the instruments.

Concert flute .......................................................................................

Usually reserved for solos because it is one of the quieter instruments of the

orchestra, the concert flute is a high-pitched instrument with a beautiful, fem-

inine tone that is instantly distinguishable from any other instrument. The

instrument is easy for most flutists (or flautists) to play, which makes it a

favorite with beginning band students who want to find an instrument with

which they can quickly master the basics.

The flute’s written range is C4 to C7 (Figure 14-10).

&

√

O

Low B is unavailable in older style flutes

w

concert flute

concert range

dark & rich

w

clear

low

w

middle

w

upper

middle w

#X

High

X #X
Figure 14-10:
Range for
the concert
flute.

& w

piccolo trumpet

w

Best range

Practical range

w

w

very difficultw

Figure 14-9:

Range for

the piccolo

trumpet,

transposed

to concert

pitch.

Chapter 14: Composing for the Standard Orchestra 175