[Trombone-l] Alto Clef

[ROBERT SLAVEN]

Here are the names of the 5 C clefs, as I learned 'em in theory class:

[Treble clef kind of fits here]
Bottom line: Soprano
2nd line from bottom: Mezzo-soprano
Centre line: Alto 
2nd line from top: Tenor
Top line: Baritone
[Bass clef]

Each of those 7 clefs makes a progression where the notes are one line apart from clef to clef.  (e.g. middle C makes its way from the 1st bottom ledger line to the 1st top ledger line, one line at a time)

There's also a French clef, which is the G (treble) clef centred on the bottom line (rather than the 2nd line from the bottom).  It was often used for violin and flute music, and sometimes also for Eb clarinet or trumpet.  Middle C is then on the 2nd bottom ledger line.

The F clef can also be used on the top line, called a subbass clef and only rarely used.  Middle C is then on the 2nd top ledger line.  Sometimes the baritone clef is done with the F clef on the middle line (equivalent to the C clef on the top line).

The wikipedia article on clefs is a useful summary.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clef)

Theoretically, with 7 clefs available, you could just use a different clef for each key a piece might be in.  So, say you're a trumpet player with an A, a Bb, a C, a D, and an Eb trumpet.  If parts for those trumpets were written in the Soprano, Tenor (8va), Treble, Alto, and Bass (8va) clefs, then they'd all be fingered the same, but still be read by the trumpeter in concert pitch.  Or something like that.  But nobody does that.  Clef use, as we've all seen, is based on historical considerations.  If it were based on practical considerations, the Eb trombone wouldn't use the Alto clef, but it would instead use the Soprano clef, and all Bb trombones would use Bass clef no matter what.  Oh well....

Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Dinwiddie <billdin at comcast.net>
Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 11:01 am
Subject: [Trombone-l] Alto Clef

> Mike Irwin said:
> 
> "But I have never seen or heard of an alto clef."
> 
> Mike, the alto clef is one of a group of clefs called "C Clefs". 
> That is, 
> the line where the two parts of the clef meet is always the note 
> C. The two 
> most common C clefs are: the Tenor clef (where the line that would 
> be the D 
> line in treble clef) is middle C on the piano. The other common C 
> clef is 
> the Alto clef (where the line that would be the B line in treble 
> clef) is 
> middle C. There are other C clefs too: mezzo-soprano clef, and I 
> forget the 
> other ones. Hopefully, neither of us will ever see another C clef 
> other than 
> the ones I have just talked about.
> Alto clef is sometimes used for the 1st trombone part in a 
> symphony 
> orchestra parts and Tenor clef is often used for the 2nd trombone. 
> The bass 
> clef that we are used to seeing is actually part of the "F clef" 
> system, 
> where the two dots tell us what line is the note F. I believe 
> there is a an 
> F clef called the baritone clef. Maybe we can ask one of our 
> orchestra-oriented brethren to expand upon the clef system and why 
> we need 
> to use it anyway.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> 
> Bill Dinwiddie
> billdin at comcast.net