In which clef does the A clarinet primarily read music?

The A clarinet primarily reads music in the treble clef. This clef is commonly used for higher-pitched instruments and vocal parts, and the A clarinet, which is a transposing instrument, reads music an entire step lower than notated. When music is written in the treble clef for the A clarinet, it allows performers to easily access the range and pitches that are characteristic of the instrument.

Understanding the relationship between the written music and the actual pitch played is crucial for instrumentalists. In the case of the A clarinet, a written "C" would sound as an "A," making the treble clef the appropriate choice for standard notation. This alignment with other higher-instrument parts, such as flutes and trumpets, also emphasizes the treble clef's widespread application in wind instrument music.