Which instrument sounds in concert pitch (identical to written) when playing from treble clef?

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

Answer: (A)

The main idea is transposition. An instrument that sounds in concert pitch means what you see written is exactly what you hear. The oboe fits this because it is a non-transposing instrument in C, so a note written in treble clef sounds as the same pitch you wrote. In other words, written C sounds like concert C.

The other instruments are transposing: a Bb soprano clarinet sounds a whole step lower than written (written C yields concert Bb); an Eb alto clarinet sounds much lower (written C yields concert Eb well below, down a major sixth); and a Bb bass clarinet also sounds lower than written. So none of them match written treble-pitch to concert pitch.