Which instrument sounds a minor 3rd lower compared to concert pitch?

The instrument that sounds a minor third lower compared to concert pitch is the D clarinet. When instruments are labeled with a key designation such as D, B-flat, or A, they indicate how the instrument transposes relative to concert pitch.

In the case of the D clarinet, when a musician plays a written C on this instrument, the actual sound produced is a B-flat, which is a minor third lower than concert pitch. This characteristic of transposition is essential for musicians to understand in order to play together with other instruments in an ensemble effectively.

The other instruments mentioned, like the B-flat trumpet and the A clarinet, transpose differently. For instance, the B-flat trumpet sounds a whole step lower than concert pitch, and the A clarinet sounds a minor third higher than concert pitch. Understanding these transposition tendencies is crucial for accurate performance and ensemble playing.