What is the Alto C Clef? - Music Theory

[@MusicMattersGB]

Learn Music Online - Check out our courses here! www.mmcourses.co.uk/courses

[@AoshimaDigital117]

Just checking in to thank you Gareth for your courses and how they expanded my freedom to compose! That’s what we need to tell intuitive musicians who fear restrictions. Knowledge is never a straitjacket. It’s a ticket to expanded freedom!

[@MusicMattersGB]

I’m so pleased to hear that. Thanks for your comment.

[@hi-bs1jz]

Thank you for your videos! I'm currently doing my IGCSE course and your channel is really helping out 😊

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Hope it goes well.

[@imankhodaei7062]

Excellent shortcut! Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@beatricejbray]

I taught myself how to read the alto and tenor clefs by using an Android app called Clefs. It turned the learning process into a game. A minute a day on each clef and I mastered both clefs in a month.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Excellent

[@rculver9056]

Just installed it, thanks for the recommendation. Also, screw that bottom line F. All mistakes so far are on that bloody note lol

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@scmcdermott888]

Great explanation!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@stefanodigarbo4735]

This reminds me of the time spent studying in preparation for the Theory and Solfege exam a million years ago. I had to be fluent in medium-hard solfege in the Setticlavio (that's Italian for "seven clefs", wonder what its English name is - anybody can tell me?). Hardest clefs for me were Mezzo-soprano and Baritone, exactly because they were the hardest to find a shortcut for, as Maestro Gareth smartly suggests for Alto. After 40+ years I still feel proud for being able to read in all clefs, but keep asking myself why I should. And don't forget the French treble clef with middle G on the first line of the stave (same notes as Bass clef, but two octaves higher). Cheers from Italy and thank you Gareth!

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s a pleasure.

[@jayducharme]

I never realized trombonists can play in the alto clef! When I was a youngster, I wrote a piano piece that stayed in the lower register, so I thought I was really clever by putting the right hand part in the treble clef. It didn't occur to me that most pianists wouldn't appreciate that.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@daveking-sandbox9263]

Not all trombonists for sure!

[@MusicMattersGB]

@daveking-sandbox9263 😀

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

At first when you explained what the transposition from the treble clef, I was a little confused. I just so happened to be watching a String Ensemble today and there was the Alto Clef for one or two voices. This was really a timely video for my understanding., Merci beaucoup fir these videos, they are gold.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great.

[@johntrotta5375]

Mr. Greene. I have learned a great deal from your videos. I especially appreciate your teaching style. Recently I watched your “What is the Alto C Clef” video. I found your suggestion as to how to transpose in it (up a second then down an octave) to be cumbersome. Since the Alto clef locates C4, and since C4 sit on the ledger line in the middle of the Grand Staff, I find it easy to visualize the bass clefs top line (A3), the treble clef’s lowest line (E4) and the alto clef’s middle line (C4) as the middle three lines of the Alto Clef. Try it. Isn’t that easier?

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s certainly another way of doing it.

[@HumbleNewMusic]

thanks gareth 🙂👍

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure

[@justinjonah-5312]

Please do a composition on band marches.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@imankhodaei7062]

Is there an equivalent short cut for the Tenor Clef please?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sure. Transpose the other way.

[@ebongvalentine7630]

Great!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@Johnwilkinsonofficial]

i struggle with older vocal music like bachs motets because you have to read tenor alto and soprano clef together w bass. ive spent a bit of time but it hasnt become fluent yet.

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’ll get there

[@sha_s2]

What program do you use to make these videos?

[@MusicMattersGB]

They’re filmed and uploaded.

[@MusicManFernando]

I play guitar and the music is written in the Treble clef, but it sounds an octave lower. Wouldn't it make more sense to write guitar music in the Alto Clef??

[@MusicMattersGB]

It might well do but it probably wouldn’t be a popular idea with guitarists!

[@ramonacosta2647]

One of the levels of Hell is inhabited by the guy who invented movable C clef.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@AtomizedSound]

😂

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@SirWhiteRabbit-gr5so]

Bach manuscripts in Saprano-clef ! Treble-clef C5 Alto-clef C4 Bass-clef. C3

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s great isn’t it?!

[@bucko5427]

I found it easier to memorize the lines and spaces and not associate it with the treble or bass clef. It's easier than some might think. The lines spell out the nonsensical word FACEG... You read it out loud once then you say it 3 times, fast. And the spaces spell out GBDF, same as the bass clef. As far as octave goes, middle C is always middle C. You can do the same with transposing instruments but that gets a little more confusing.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Absolutely

[@musik-paint]

The Alto clef is the "Mounty Python" under the clef.^^ Thank you for the tip.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@dhpbear2]

It's odd that they didn't just go with the Treble Clef, played an octave higher!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That would have been one possibility.

[@NidusFormicarum]

I'm not as fluent reading tenor clef as alto clef, not to talk about soprano clef, which is much less used. However, when I read tenor clef, I think first in alto clef (when I am uncertain), not treble clef.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@avpmobi]

My experience alto clef is the least favourite for trombone players. Treble, tenor or bass clef please.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@lyntedrockley7295]

It beggars belief why they just didn't make 3rd space middle C.

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀