# Alto: Musical Instruments — Transpositions and Ranges

> Comprehensive musical instrument guide with registers, transpositions, and sound characteristics. (iPhone/iPad app by Erik Lee.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alto-musical-instruments/id317691743 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Erik Lee](https://appshunter.io/developer/302856905)
- Category: Music, Reference
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-08-16
- Data updated: 2026-07-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alto-musical-instruments/id317691743/reviews.md

## What is Alto?

This is the ultimate instruments guide for musicians, composers, songwriters, conductors, students and educators. It includes the registers, transpositions, playability, and sound characteristics of dozens of instruments. With this app, you can:

- Explore by family, alphabetically, or by score order
- See registers highlighted by difficulty and timbre
- Transpose with a simple tap
- See open strings, vocal ranges, timpani tunings for different sizes of drums, and more.

In this version:
- Woodwinds: Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, A Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Chromatic Harmonica, Diatonic Harmonica, Ocarina, Bassoon, Contrabassoon
- Brass: French Horn, Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet in D, Trumpet in C, Trumpet in Bb, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
- Keyboard and Percussion: Piano, Celesta, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Vibraphone, Fender Rhodes, Xylophone, Timpani
- Choral: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
- Operatic: Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
- Harp
- Guitar, Bass Guitar

## Key features

- Instrument registers and transpositions
- Playability and sound characteristics
- Explore by family, alphabet, or score
- Registers highlighted by difficulty/timbre
- Simple transposition feature
- Includes woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, vocals, and more

## Chart rankings

- #198 in Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (6 of 6)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alto-musical-instruments/id317691743/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Correction, my mistake... Not a scam!

*2011-07-03*

I'm sorry but my original review was very negative, I thought I had been ripped off but in reality I miss read the description of what I purchased... I sent an e-mail to the creator of the app and I got a response and he helped me understand what I purchased.... I'm changing my rating and review because I was wrong and Thank You Eric for responding to my e-mail so promptly and helping me understand the value of what I purchased... I sincerely apologize to everyone for my original review....

### 4/5 — Great app but.

*2010-01-09*

This app has everything it says it has. As a composer Ive found myself going to this app in some situations. Though I spent $5 on this app so there should be frequent updates and more, more, more instruments such as the koto, oboe d'amour, contrabass flute and clarinet, lute, ect. Also show the super altissimo range on the saxophones.

### 5/5 — Nice work

*2009-12-08*

Awesome app. I love it. You know the iPhone's reached platinum when apps of this kind start appearing. Very helpful to have around. I haven't double checked the accuracy of the info yet, but assuming it's all good, this is a great App for composers, arrangers and orchestrators to have handy.

### 1/5 — Useless

*2009-11-15*

Does nothing. Ripped off.

### 3/5 — A bit expensive for what it is

*2009-09-22*

Great information and nicely arranged but for 4.99? A bit too much for something which is no more than a bunch of lists which can probably be found on the internet. If I had paid .99 I would be happy. Nonetheless, it's very useful for composers to have access to instrument ranges at their fingertips.

### 4/5 — Sax?

*2009-08-29*

This is a great app for arranging and orchestrating but it doesn't say anything about the saxophone family!! Having that in the next update would surely make it 5 stars. And having the fingerings/positions for all the instruments would be helpful too. Great app!

## Frequently asked questions about Alto

### What instruments are included in Alto?

Alto covers a wide range of instruments including woodwinds (Piccolo, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Bassoon), brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba), strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), keyboards and percussion (Piano, Glockenspiel, Timpani), choral and operatic ranges, harp, and guitars.

### How does Alto help with transpositions?

Alto allows you to transpose with a simple tap. It clearly displays the registers and transpositions for each instrument, making it easy to understand and apply.

### Is Alto available on Android devices?

Currently, Alto is available for iPhone and iPad. It is designed for iOS devices.

### What is the age rating for Alto?

Alto has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including young students and educators.

### How often is Alto updated?

The app was last updated on March 31, 2025, indicating ongoing support and potential for future improvements and content additions.

### What do users like about Alto?

Based on its 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews, users likely appreciate the comprehensive nature of the instrument data and the ease of accessing transposition information.

### Does Alto have ads?

No, Alto does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application without any ad interruptions.

### What is the price of Alto?

Alto is a paid application priced at $4.99. This one-time purchase provides access to all its features and instrument data.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.1 — 2025-03-31

- Fixes for vibraphone and bass trombone.

### 2.0 — 2021-11-05

- Improved notation rendering

### 1.4 — 2010-01-05

- Now shows transposed key signatures
- Now includes chromatic and diatonic harmonicas, more members of the trumpet family, and Fender Rhodes
- UI improvements

### 1.3 — 2009-11-02

- Eight new instruments, including more members of the clarinet, saxophone, and keyboard families.
- Better indication of transposition intervals

### 1.2 — 2009-10-02

Six new instruments, including harp and operatic voice types.

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## More apps by Erik Lee

- [Times Nine](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/times-nine/id692971929)

All apps by Erik Lee: https://appshunter.io/developer/302856905

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-28.*