Hi Mike.

For any group I’m in, I give them printouts that are transposed for them. I write primarily for small jazz groups but I’ve also written for 20 piece jazz ensemble and 50 piece symphony. I assume all pro players could read concert pitch (either treble or bass clef as appropriate) but I give them parts they don’t have to struggle with.

From the other side, as a composer or arranger, I write exclusively in concert pitch. This may not be the way other horn players work, because I also play flute and use a C trumpet.

Last week, a viola player showed up to play the Christmas service. I had to put his part into alto clef. Not something you see every day.

Does that help?



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