first of all great, that you do something like that.
To be honest, I haven’t read every line of every reply and don’t know exactly what wasn’t said yet but, there are still a few.
First of all, as some already mentioned for some specific instruments, all B flat transposing instruments transpose by -2 or -14 semitones. (and not -1 or -13)
The clef for the Oboe is missing, I think the treble clef is used more often for the French Horn and the two dots of the bass clef in the written range of the Bassoon are somehow not aligned.
The flat accidental on the bass clef of the written horn range is on the wrong line, it should be on the second from the bottom and the sounding range of the horn is transposed in the wrong direction.
You should write tenor saxophone and not just saxophone and I think the alto sax is even more common than the tenor. The flat accidental on the Bb of the written range of the tenor sax could be confused with a double flat accidental.
Multiple instruments have “Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet” as alternatives which definitely do not have them as alternatives. As alternative for the French Horn you could write the Bb Horn.
The trombone (and bass trombone) is not transposing (the Bb only means that it is based on the Bb nature-tone scale)
The notation for the Tuba is not normed but in the UK were you’re based and Germany where I live it is typically not transposing (as is shown in the written/sounding range only the highest notes should also match).
And while it is also not normed for the Euphonium, it is more common, that the Euphonium is not transposing or that it is transposing -14 semitones.
Many things others already said, for example that I would recommend to not put everything on one poster, but separate the different sections. I also agree, that things like transposition amount should be consistent (0 and -0). I think pedal notes on brass instruments should be noted as well as the possibility to go higher for skilled players.
I don’t really know what I think about the “otherwise known as:” things. (it’s sometimes a little funny, but I think it should be more factual/educational)
There are some other miner tweaks, that are almost not worth mentioning like missing commas and probably loads of other things I forgot writing about or missed.
If I find something major I’ll give an update, but now I would probably need an updated version, to proofread. If you have that I would be happy to check it again.
Good list you’ve got there. Just wanted to help fill in the blanks for musescore.
Cor anglais: amateur range E3 - A5, pro range E3 - B5, plays down 7 semitones from notation
contrabassoon: amateur range A#0 - A3, pro range A#0 - C4, plays down 1 octave from notation
bass trombone: amateur range G#1 - F4, pro range A0 - F5, unison
euphonium: amateur range E2 - A#4, pro range E2 - D5, unison
cimbasso: amateur range E1 - D4, pro range C1 - C5, unison
it might also be said, that the musesounds have a bit different ranges that said ranges. The contrabassoon for example has a muse sound range of A0 - C#4 while the bass trombone only goes up to D#5.
I was scrolling to see if anybody had commented on this, and was glad to find your remarks. I am a clarinettist first and an alto sax player 2nd.
I would like to add the reality check regarding the high range in the clarinet.
For my degree final I had to hit that top C, once, and approach by leap. It is not a common note to play, and should be handled with care.
Top G is common, top G sharp and top A also in wide use. These can be found in pieces of a UK grade 8 standard.
Top B, B flat and C are infrequent.
If dancing around in those truly high notes is required it is generally given to the (piccolo) E flat clarinet. eg as in Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique.
Couple of (hopefully!) useful bits of info for the brass:
The Trombone is the loudest instrument in the orchestra, and can put out over 115dB
The Trumpet and Trombone have a cylindrical bore, which means they tend to have a clearer, brighter tone - whereas the cornet, tuba, etc have a conical bore which means they are softer and warmer.
Not sure if you are colleting suggestions still but i just watched the first pink panther movie and thought oh there is a saxophone in one of the most iconic movie franchises themes
Hey Thanks for the updated version of the Blagsheet, but there are still a few things wrong.
First of, I can personally attest, that a piccolo flute is most definitely not twice as heavy as a clarinet and Timpanis are also definitely not the same weight as a piccolo flute.
Next, are the Bass clarinet and Contrabass clarinet really variants of the French horn and Harp?
Then you should maybe add in the guide if the range (E2 - C6 for example) is the written or sounding range. At the moment it is even inconsistent.
Next the sounding range of the French Horn and trumpet are transposed in the wrong direction (French horn also by the wrong amount).
The Trombone has wrongly a checkmark for transposing, while it is not, and the Tuba has the same issue the other way.
The written notes of the Bass Trombone are missing a flat.
A ledger line should be added for the range of the 32" Timpani.
The range for the Glockenspiel is currently written as C4 - C4.
The written pitches of the trombone should use the bass clef.
Lastly it would be nice if the ranges (e.g. E2 - C6) the written ranges and the sounding ranges within each instrument would match.
There are a few more things I would change but I think those were more important and there will probably also always be things that I miss.
Thanks so much for this input. Changes fixed, made addressed:
** First of, I can personally attest, that a piccolo flute is most definitely not twice as heavy as a clarinet and Timpanis are also definitely not the same weight as a piccolo flute - FIXED*
** Next, are the Bass clarinet and Contrabass clarinet really variants of the French horn and Harp? - FIXED*
** Then you should maybe add in the guide if the range (E2 - C6 for example) is the written or sounding range. At the moment it is even inconsistent. - ADDRESSED*
** Next the sounding range of the French Horn and trumpet are transposed in the wrong direction (French horn also by the wrong amount). - FIXED*
** The Trombone has wrongly a checkmark for transposing, while it is not, and the Tuba has the same issue the other way. - FIXED*
** The written notes of the Bass Trombone are missing a flat. - FIXED*
** A ledger line should be added for the range of the 32" Timpani - FIXED*
** The range for the Glockenspiel is currently written as C4 - C4. - FIXED*
** The written pitches of the trombone should use the bass clef. - FIXED*
** Lastly it would be nice if the ranges (e.g. E2 - C6) the written ranges and the sounding ranges within each instrument would match. - ADDRESSED, new ranges taken from Henry Mancini “Sounds & Scores” and cross referenced with Walter Piston “Orchestration”.*
Edit Whoops I see above that some of these fixes were already made. So it seems that the currently live blagsheet is not the most updated one. Maybe a mixup when refreshing the website?
Pardon the off-topic un-timely comment, but just wanted to let you know that the trombones on the instrument blagsheet are wrong:
Tenor trombone
Does not transpose
Never written in treble clef (primarily bass chef, but tenor and alto clefs possible). The Written and Sounds section should be identical
A more reasonable highest note would be C5 or D5, F5 is extreme soloist range
Bass Trombone
Also does not transpose
Written/Sounds should be identical
Range is wrong, Bb0 is not reasonably achievable. Eb (5th space below the bass clef) is the lowest reasonable pedal tone.