Music Theory Anthony Bianchi 10 th -12 th grade Monday Dec 6 th 2004
Today’s Agenda Review Treble Clef and Bass Clef. Review Treble Clef and Bass Clef. New material: Learn Alto Clef and Tenor Clef in the same way. New material: Learn Alto Clef and Tenor Clef in the same way. Practice note identifying on the board. Practice note identifying on the board.
The Treble Clef
Treble Clef Notice that The Treble Clef (like any clef) is on a five lined staff. Notice that The Treble Clef (like any clef) is on a five lined staff. In between any two consecutive lines, four spaces are created. In between any two consecutive lines, four spaces are created. We will go into the note names in a little bit. We will go into the note names in a little bit.
Treble Clef Continued Notice that this picture of The Treble Clef has a red bolded 2 nd line. This signifies the secondary name of this clef known as the “G Clef”. The reason for this is because part of the clef circles around the line that the note “G” is on. Notice that this picture of The Treble Clef has a red bolded 2 nd line. This signifies the secondary name of this clef known as the “G Clef”. The reason for this is because part of the clef circles around the line that the note “G” is on.
Treble Clef continued The lines on the treble clef are (from bottom to top) The lines on the treble clef are (from bottom to top) E-G-B-D-F and the spaces are (from bottom to top) F-A-C-E. E-G-B-D-F and the spaces are (from bottom to top) F-A-C-E. Thus creating E-F-G- A-B-C-D-E-F Thus creating E-F-G- A-B-C-D-E-F
The Bass Clef
Bass Clef Continued This picture of The Bass Clef has a highlighted 4th line. The reason is because the line that the note “F” falls on is between the two dots of the clef. This picture of The Bass Clef has a highlighted 4th line. The reason is because the line that the note “F” falls on is between the two dots of the clef.
The Bass Clef Continued The Lines on The Bass Clef are G-B-D-F-A. The Lines on The Bass Clef are G-B-D-F-A. The Spaces are A-C-E-G. The Spaces are A-C-E-G. Thus Creating G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A. Thus Creating G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A.
The Tenor Clef
The Tenor Clef continued The Tenor Clef has a red highlighted 4 th line. Since the fourth line on The Tenor Clef is C, This clef is known as a C Clef. You will understand why I said “a” C Clef in just a moment. The Tenor Clef has a red highlighted 4 th line. Since the fourth line on The Tenor Clef is C, This clef is known as a C Clef. You will understand why I said “a” C Clef in just a moment.
The Tenor Clef continued The lines on The Tenor Clef are D-F-A-C-E. The lines on The Tenor Clef are D-F-A-C-E. The spaces are therefore E-G-B-D. The spaces are therefore E-G-B-D. Thus creating D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E Thus creating D-E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E This clef is rarely used. This clef is rarely used.
Interesting fact The Tenor Clef was used so that tenors didn’t have to think about ledger line note names when they were singing. However, being a Tenor, I think its funny because if we have to sing a high G, which is normal, we have to read it on a ledger line. Tenors usually read The Treble Clef an octave lower than written or The Bass Clef on about a basis I have yet to see the Tenor clef used in music. If we wanted to do that it would be easier to read of The Alto Clef. Since high G is the top line. (but that’s just me) The Tenor Clef was used so that tenors didn’t have to think about ledger line note names when they were singing. However, being a Tenor, I think its funny because if we have to sing a high G, which is normal, we have to read it on a ledger line. Tenors usually read The Treble Clef an octave lower than written or The Bass Clef on about a basis I have yet to see the Tenor clef used in music. If we wanted to do that it would be easier to read of The Alto Clef. Since high G is the top line. (but that’s just me)
The Alto Clef
The Alto Clef Continued The Alto Clef has it’s 3 rd line highlighted red. This Signifies also that it is a C Clef. However, The Tenor Clef is also a C Clef. So since the viola is the only instrument that uses this clef more regularly than any other instrument, this clef has become known as the Viola Clef. The Alto Clef has it’s 3 rd line highlighted red. This Signifies also that it is a C Clef. However, The Tenor Clef is also a C Clef. So since the viola is the only instrument that uses this clef more regularly than any other instrument, this clef has become known as the Viola Clef.
The Alto Clef continued The Lines on The Alto Clef are F-A-C-E-G. I use the anagram Funny-Alto-Clefs-Eat- Gunk. The Lines on The Alto Clef are F-A-C-E-G. I use the anagram Funny-Alto-Clefs-Eat- Gunk. The spaces are G-B-D-F. The spaces are G-B-D-F. Thus creating F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G. Thus creating F-G-A-B-C-D-E-F-G.
Question Which one is which? Which one is which?
Answer The top one was the Tenor Clef.
The similarities They both look the same just that the tenor is higher up. I remember that the tenor is the higher male voice and the alto is the lower female voice. However, i see how that can be confusing in the SATB format. They both look the same just that the tenor is higher up. I remember that the tenor is the higher male voice and the alto is the lower female voice. However, i see how that can be confusing in the SATB format.
The differences As I mentioned, there are few ways of telling the Alto and Tenor clef apart I like these two pictures because they both have the 4 th line highlighted These are the bass and tenor clefs. That’s easy because generally basses and tenors are male voices. (generally yes but not in my church choir) As I mentioned, there are few ways of telling the Alto and Tenor clef apart I like these two pictures because they both have the 4 th line highlighted These are the bass and tenor clefs. That’s easy because generally basses and tenors are male voices. (generally yes but not in my church choir)
GOODBYE!