Which instrument sounds down a major second from written treble, among the following options?

• A. Eb alto clarinet
• B. Bb contra bass bass clarinet
• C. Oboe
• D. Bb soprano clarinet

Answer: (D)

Transposing instruments change how written notes relate to sounding pitches. For a clarinet in B-flat, the instrument sounds a whole step lower than what is written. In treble notation, that means if you write a C, the pitch that sounds is B-flat. So the instrument in B-flat that uses treble clef will always produce a sound a major second below the written note.

The oboe, written in C, sounds as written, so it doesn’t fit the idea of sounding down a major second. The alto clarinet in E-flat transposes differently (its sounding pitch is much lower, typically a major sixth below written), so that’s not a simple major-second relationship. The contrabass clarinet is also in B-flat, but it’s read in a much lower register, and the treble-notated relationship isn’t the straightforward major-second downward pattern you’re looking for.

Therefore, the instrument that sounds down a major second from written treble is the Bb soprano clarinet.