I'm a trombone player, and am currently trying to learn the tenor clef as well as the treble clef. I've heard that tenor will pop up in my life, and I should be ready for it if I'm advancing in trombone. Soon, I'll be attempting to learn the violin, (which is also in the key of C with the trombone,) partially because I won't have to learn a different keyed instrument, just a different clef, (which is treble.)

This is a thread to post your troubles, advice, hints, anything about different clefs or keys. You can ask what key an instrument is in, if there are any learning devices for learning another staff, anything. Hopefully this will help people with their musical troubles! :)

Hmmm changing clefs, huh? It comes with training and becomes a habit after a while.

For the treble clef, the line around which the clef spins is a G. So you use that point of reference and calculate the other notes. It sometimes helps if you take other reference points in check as well. The first supplemental line under the staff if the central C, which is something important to keep in mind.

As for tenor clef, it's a C clef centered on the 4th line of the staff. That would be your central C. The rest of the process is still calculating intervals in reference to that C.

Practice sight reading in different clefs, and your reading speed will pick up fast!

Then there's Alto Clef x_x . For any clef that looks like Tenor Clef or Alto Clef, here's what I do.

1. Look for the middle part of the clef. That's where C is located :) .

Then there's Alto Clef x_x . For any clef that looks like Tenor Clef or Alto Clef, here's what I do.

1. Look for the middle part of the staff. That's where C is located :) .

In tenor celf, the C is on the second line from the top. :huh:

Edit: Never mind... I just went and realized that the tenor clef symbol was raised a line. :P

In tenor celf, the C is on the second line from the top. :huh:

Edit: Never mind... I just went and realized that the tenor clef symbol was raised a line. :P

o.o Mistake. I was referring to the middle of the clef. There's other clefs beside the Alto and Tenor clef (there's also Mezzo-Soprano clef and Soprano clef), which this tip would be helpful for. (The middle of the clef is C).

http://www.johnmcgann.com/clefimages/clefs.jpg
A little confusing, eh? It's strange how when you go into the lower clefs, they actually move higher on the staff, and higher noted clefs go lower. Alto is right in the middle. :\

It's actually logical to put higher clefs on a lower line since the line that the 'arrow' of the C clef pointing to is the middle C. For example, if an instrument has a range of the F below middle C to a C two octaves above middle C, then it would be logical to use the Mezzo-Soprano clef since you wouldn't need to use too many ledger lines below the middle C or above the middle C.

It's actually logical to put higher clefs on a lower line since the line that the 'arrow' of the C clef pointing to is the middle C. For example, if an instrument has a range of the F below middle C to a C two octaves above middle C, then it would be logical to use the Mezzo-Soprano clef since you wouldn't need to use too many ledger lines below the middle C or above the middle C.

I realized that, it just looked strange to me at first. :think:

There's also double-bass clef and several others. The only clefs used regularly now are the Viola (Tenor?), Treble, and Bass clefs. The little 8 underneath the clef only symbolized that it plays an octave lower than the traditional clef (on the other side of the coin, an 8 on top of the clef means it plays an octave higher).

I'm luckily able to read all 3 regular clefs. :D

Oh God. If you are attempting Tenor, be ready to know the difference between Alto and Tenor. One is down 1 or 2 whole steps. I hate it. :P

Oh God. If you are attempting Tenor, be ready to know the difference between Alto and Tenor. One is down 1 or 2 whole steps. I hate it. :P

It's not really that hard to differ them; tenor clef sticks out of the staff and alto fits right on the staff.

Oh God. If you are attempting Tenor, be ready to know the difference between Alto and Tenor. One is down 1 or 2 whole steps. I hate it. :P

Yes, and there's also the soprano clef, mezzo-soprano clef, and baritone clef, which all look the same but are just moved up or down. :\ (Look at above post with spoiler.)

@Rodents: The clef the viola is is alto, not tenor. The alto clef fits right into the middle of the staff.