| Author |
Subject |
Lisa
Shipman
Registered
User
(8/18/00 3:18:39 pm)
Reply |
Help!
Is this real?
Ok, I'm sure you have heard this
problem before but I am so totally confused!! How do you get used to
this tenor clef stuff? I've played piano for 27 years and flute for
25 years and now I have to learn to read a new clef? My teacher has
me working on page 10 of C. Schroeder Method Volume 2. The first of
tenor clef that I've seen. Playing one string over doesn't work on
this one. Plus I don't want to just play one string over, I want to
be able to read the notes just like it was treble or bass clef. Any
suggestions or help would be so greatly appreciated.
|
Laura
Wichers
Registered
User
(8/18/00 3:30:24 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Help! Is this real?
Think of the notes in tenor clef as
a P5 up from the same notes in bass clef. So, a bass clef open G
would be printed as an open D in tenor clef.
It takes some
time to get used to the new clef. Consider yourself lucky that you
already know the other two!
-Laura
|
Paul
Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(8/18/00 4:17:15 pm)
Reply
 |
Re:
Help! Is this real?
I remember first learning to read
tenor cleff and using the one string over cheat once in a while. The
other short cut was to read it as if it were played one note down in
treble cleff (but also played an octave lower). Eventually you'll
get the hang of it by associating the actual note with what you see
on the page. Just be patient and keep practicing it.
Paul Tseng, Cello Chat Administrator
Today's Quote
My Website
MP3!
The San Diego Cello Society
|
Ellen
G 
Registered
User
(8/18/00 4:20:45 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Help! Is this real?
I struggled until I learned landmark
notes. I have a twisted mind, so the connections I make may not work
for you. But the 4th position G on the A string was critical for me.
In tenor clef this is the first ledger line above the staff. That
was my "safety" note. Once I got that in my head, I could fairly
quickly figure out the others because 4th position is a comfort zone
for me.
And it's a good reference frame if you know where
middle C falls in all three clefs. For those of you lurking and
reading -- I know you're there -- the first ledger line above the
staff in bass clef; the 4th line in tenor clef; the first ledger
line before the staff in treble clef.
There is an exercise in
the 170 Foundation Studies by Schroeder which moves you fluently
throughout the three clefs and I strongly recommend it. I hate it,
but I recommend it.
|
MaryK
Registered
User
(8/19/00 12:43:11 am)
Reply
 |
Re:
Help! Is this real? - Reading Tenor Clef
I cheat and pretend the note is
written in treble clef, and then go a step down. Works OK for me,
and it's easier than thinking up a fifth. My opinion, your results
may vary.
MaryK
|
Ellen
G
Registered
User
(8/19/00 8:16:47 am)
Reply |
To Mary
K
Howdy. I thought you were supposed
to be at a dude ranch far, far from computers about now. It is most
unexpected to find you here. What's up? I had the "City Slickers"
image in my head.
|
Lissey
Registered
User
(8/19/00 10:54:16 am)
Reply |
Re:
Help! Is this real?
Don't worry, you'll get the hang of
it soon enough. Like Ellen, landmark notes worked great for me -
eventually you start getting used to the most common notes and from
then on, it's a pretty easy job. It's just a matter of time and
practice. Best of luck!
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MaryK
Registered
User
(8/19/00 12:37:22 pm)
Reply
|
To
Ellen
Oops, I owe you an e-mail, don't I??
Thanks for the reminder, my mind is also on sabbatical these days,
sorry... Dude ranch is in Montana, which has been declared a
disaster area due to the wildfires, I opted to stay home in
smoke-free Seattle. :(
See ya,
MaryK
|
Lisa
Shipman
Registered
User
(8/21/00 3:47:30 pm)
Reply |
Tenor
clef
Thanks for the advice. I'm sure I'll
figure it out eventually. I just thought (probably shouldn't have)
that there was treble and bass, I mean they cover everything don't
they? My teacher says tenor bridges the gap so you don't have all
the ledger lines. Well, anyone who plays flute can tell you that we
are very used to ledger lines, lots of them. Three octaves above
middle C in treble clef.
Well, I won't ramble, just wanted to say
thanks. Maybe my new cello that's coming this week will magically
play tenor clef with no thinking on my part? Wishful
thinking.
Lisa
|
Sorefingers
Registered User
(9/7/00 5:03:49 am)
Reply |
Help?
Is this real?
Oh Linda,
There's another clef
that cellists play in - RARELY, but it's there - ALTO clef. Just
wanted to make your day.
And Ellen, Thanks for your advise for
all us lurkers - 
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Sorefingers
Registered User
(9/7/00 5:06:22 am)
Reply |
Help?
Is this real?
Sorry - Last post was for Lisa - not
Linda. I scared myself too bad and couldn't type the correct
name.
|
Lisa
Shipman
Registered
User
(9/7/00 8:00:36 am)
Reply |
Alto
Clef
Actually, when my teacher told me
about tenor clef the first thing I asked her was, "And are there any
more that will surprise me?" Of course she mentioned the alto clef
and I think soprano? Oh well, she at least told me alto clef is
mostly used in viola music. I'll just never play a viola!
Actually, this tenor clef is probably good for me. I teach piano
and flute and have had a good reminder on how hard it is to
initially learn to read music. It has given me a new outlook on
helping my beginner students to learn the notes. Sometimes you
forget what it was like to try to keep all this in your head. I feel
I've put myself in their place for a bit and now I remember. After
all I learned to read music (in treble and bass clef) when I was 8
years old. Now I'm 35 and those memories have faded.
It's nice
to know some good comes out of all this.
Lisa
|
JanJan
Registered
User
(9/7/00 9:11:49 am)
Reply |
Re: A
clef story
When I first started serious study
on cello, I was also studying viola. At that time I was part of a
coached chamber music ensemble. One night the violinists arrived
late, so the coach asked if I wanted to play some violin/viola duets
until they arrived. I agreed, not realizing the viola part went from
alto into treble clef. But I managed. Then when the violinists
arrived we began working on our regular music and I returned to my
cello. My cello part kept jumping from bass to tenor clef. The next
morning it dawned on my that I'd had my own little clef olympics,
playing in all 4 clefs in one night! Just thought I'd
share.
Janet
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