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Topic: Instrument to Trombone and then have it PLAY it? (Read 3380 times) previous topic - next topic

Instrument to Trombone and then have it PLAY it?

PLEASE HELP!

Is there any way to make a bass clef and set the instrument to Trombone and then have it play the notes/song exactly like a real trombone would play? Given the key that a trombone is, is different than a piano.

Re: Instrument to Trombone and then have it PLAY it?

Reply #1 –
I don't understand what you're trying to achieve. Trombone parts are all written at concert pitch. What you see should be what you hear.

Are you trying to treat the trombone as a transposing instrument? Why?

Re: Instrument to Trombone and then have it PLAY it?

Reply #2 –
If you're asking if you can transpose, then the answer is, yes, you can. If you're writing in concert pitch, use the Tools -> Transpose Staff select the number of semitones to transpose and check "Update staff play back transposition".
If you've written transposed notes, then go to the staff properties dialog, select the Midi page and adjust the Transposition.

However, if you're writing for a trombone in bass clef, then you DON'T transpose. For the most part trombone music is written in concert pitch in Bass, Tenor or Alto clef depending on how high or low it is.

The only place where trombone music is transposed is in brass bands, where it's sometimes written in treble clef, transposed up an octave and one tone (Bb). Most trombone players I've ever encountered prefer bass clef, concert pitch.
 

Re: Instrument to Trombone and then have it PLAY it?

Reply #3 –
The transposition of trombone up a 9th, written in treble clef (same as tenor saxophone), is referred to as "trombone treble clef". Such parts are also made for "baritone treble clef", which is traditionally written in bass clef at concert pitch also.

The reason for such parts... when a young trumpet or cornet (Bb instruments) player is switched to low brass, usually in second or third year of playing, perhaps in junior high school, he might be switched to valve trombone or baritone horn. These instruments are acoustically Bb instruments, but the players usually read in bass clef at concert pitch. By transposing up a 9th, into treble clef, the player will read music and use the exact same fingerings as he would have if playing trumpet.

But many teachers now find, as with languages, a full immersion is best. The sooner the player learns the fingerings for reading in standard bass clef parts, the better. Such low brass treble clef parts are found less and less often.

If you must make a part, the transposition is the same as for tenor sax.

In marches you will many times find parts labeled "Bb Tenor Saxophone and Baritone Treble Clef".