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2.6: Moveable C-Clef; Other Clefs

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    758
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts
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    Learning Objectives
    • Understanding Moveable C-Clef.
    • Understanding Alto Clef and Tenor Clef.
    • Other Clefs.

    In discussing the evolution and formation of the staff, we saw that the eleven-line Guidonian staff separated into two five-line staves. The remaining line was not discarded as such, but rather served as a connective or “shared” line between the two staves.

    This invisible middle line locates the pitch C4 (“Middle C”). On the grand staff this appears as a note one ledger line below the staff in Treble Clef, or a note one ledger line above the staff in Bass Clef.

    5c3b33def48f6b8fc363de8188554674.jpg
    Figure 2.26 C4 (“Middle C”) on the Grand Staff

    Moveable C-Clef

    From the Guidonian staff a separate clef evolved denoting this particular pitch. This clef is called ‘C-Clef,” or properly, “Moveable C-clef.”

    e8ea05e086752aa17038afed41cf6d9e.jpg
    Figure 2.27 C4 C-Clef

    This clef may occur on any line in the staff. Regardless of which line it occurs on, it always locates C4, “Middle C.” Originally, the use of this clef was concerned with particular voice ranges. The moveable C-Clef kept the majority of pitches of a given voice within the boundaries of the staff conforming to the typical range of that voice. Hence the common names for this clef as it occurs on each line reflect the associated voice part.

    8af72006fb5072b192cf1678f0e8840c.jpg
    Figure 2.28 C-Clefs by Voice

    Alto and Tenor Clefs

    The C-Clef on the lowest line of the staff is called Soprano Clef, the second line Mezzo-Soprano Clef, the third line Alto Clef, the fourth line Tenor Clef and the top line Baritone Clef. Until the 19th Century (approximately) choral music was written in open score, each voice part on a separate staff with the appropriate clef. Gradually this became an arcane procedure.

    Two of the Moveable C-Clefs have been retained in common use in instrumental writing, primarily because of the ranges of certain instruments. Alto Clef is predominantly used in writing for the Viola. If Treble or Bass Clefs were used, the Viola part would need to be written with a surfeit of ledger lines-it’s general range occupies the space “between” and “overlapping” Treble and Bass Clefs. The ‘Cello often employs Tenor Clef (in addition to Bass Clef). In orchestral and more advanced wind ensemble literature (but curiously, not in Jazz), Tenor Clef may be used for the upper register of the Trombone. Again, the purpose is to keep the majority of the pitches within the boundaries of the staff.

    Other Clefs

    The remaining C-Clefs are not normally encountered except in autograph scores and facsimile editions of earlier music. There are several other clefs, one of which has become very common, the others rarely seen. In Choral writing, Tenor Clef is commonly replaced by a Treble Clef with an “8” (ottava) sign appended to the bottom of the clef.

    As open score became less common, and as fewer musicians were trained to read Tenor Clef efficiently, this “compromise” clef came into general use. It reads exactly as Treble Clef but “sounds” down an octave, conforming to the range of the Tenor voice.

    741f3365ca58d5c4c87e2d5bef97fca1.jpg
    Figure 2.29 Octave Tenor Clef

    Two clefs are no longer in use, French Violin Clef (locating G4) on the lowest line of the staff, and a Bass Clef (F-Clef) located on the middle line of the staff. This is called French Baritone Clef.

    af805049014d82fe662ccb9201369aee.jpg
    Figure 2.30 French Violin and French Baritone Clefs

    The Neutral Clef is used for non-pitched percussion instruments.

    9812d21cbbb11b4e75110a16c97389d4.jpg
    Figure 2.31 The Neutral Clef

    Since Alto and Tenor Clefs have been retained in common usage, it is necessary to learn to read these with some facility. When first encountered, this can be a daunting task. Some say that familiarization and memorization is the only method for learning these clefs. There are expedient shortcuts however, that may help to facilitate the process:

    1. For Alto Clef:
      1. Think of the note name in Treble Clef and “read” this one line or space higher.
      2. This is only the pitch-class name. The actual pitch is an octave lower. See example.

      Figure 2.32 Alto Clef Shortcut586bb471bf6625aeaabc4bc476023eea.jpg

    2. For Tenor Clef:
      1. Think of the note name in Treble Clef and “read” this one line or space lower.
      2. Again this is only the pitch-class name. The actual pitch is an octave lower. See example.

      Figure 2.33 Tenor Clef Shortcut

      0682f33c5ebbb396ff46df16f450ef03.jpg

    Conclusion

    • Understanding Moveable C-Clefs.
    • Understanding Alto and Tenor Clefs.
    • Understanding Octave Tenor Clef.
    Exercise 1:
    1. On the example provided, practice drawing Alto and Tenor Clefs.

      Figure 2.34 Drawing Alto and Tenor Clefs

      abc66ebc80de4c9d550f60d1287eeda5.jpg
    2. For each example in Treble or Bass Clef, re-write in Alto or Tenor Clef as directed. Label pitches by letter name and by register designation.

      Figure 2.35 Re-write to Alto and Tenor Clefs

      e31ce5616f832eb9d2dc228956528220.jpg
    3. Examples of Octave Tenor Clef are given. Re-write these in Tenor Clef.

      Figure 2.36 Octave Tenor Clef to Tenor Clef

      17c7ec0cbea73ebef9280b49f0b847a2.jpg

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