I need clearly to a question. I thought the answer was 1-D-Flat major. According to my study notes from school, whatever music piece the concert pitch is in, you would lower the key for the B-flat trumpet by a whole step. So, a whole step down from E-flat major is D-Flat major. Can you correct my thinking and explain better why the answer is 3.
A high school vocal music teacher is creating an arrangement for mixed chorus, harpsichord, and B-flat trumpet. The piece will be in E-flat major. The teacher should write the trumpet part in which of the following keys?
1. D-flat major
2. C major
3. F major
4. E-flat major
Answer
Correct Response: 3. This question requires the examinee to demonstrate a broad and comprehensive understanding of techniques for composing, arranging, and improvising, including knowledge of instrumental transpositions, ranges, and idiomatic writing for various instruments and instrumental ensembles. Whenever an instrument plays a written C, the name of the instrument is produced at sounding pitch. For example, whenever a B-flat trumpet plays a written C, the name of the instrument, B-flat, is produced. Thus, music for B-flat trumpet must be written a whole-step above sounding pitch. Consequently, a piece in E-flat major requires the trumpet part to be written in F major.