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PIzzaPastaMafia - Posted - 08/15/2023: 08:06:46
Apart from for personal curiosity, is there any practical use in learning the bass clef if you play tenor in CGDA tuning?
Old Hickory - Posted - 08/15/2023: 08:50:36
The way you've phrased it, I'd say no.
Then again, all there is to learning it is what the lines and spaces represent. The two dots surround an F -- hence its alternative name of "F clef." That's all the info you need to identify the rest.
But if your instrument's notation is written in treble/G clef (and played an octave higher than written) you're not likely to encounter or need bass clef.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 08/15/2023 08:50:50
Tractor1 - Posted - 08/15/2023: 09:27:58
of course==you get to see what other players are doing --in a marching formation view--and juicy finds can be transposed --my view from a certain standpoint--though our priorities vary
trapdoor2 - Posted - 08/15/2023: 09:44:57
I use the Alto clef for my CGDA tenor. Of course, I also play the Viola.
mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 08/15/2023: 10:39:48
If you're making an arrangement from sheet music, yes.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/15/2023: 11:12:22
I think it's a good idea to learn something new like the bass clef. It might help you in your musical journey. What if you came upon a song/tune you really liked and it was all in the bass clef. If you knew how to read the bass clef then you could pick out the melody notes in the lower octaves and play the song in the treble clef.
Do you really need to know how to decipher the bass clef? Probably not.
mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 08/15/2023: 11:33:33
used to be a dues paying member of the Cincinnati musicians union. There I was listed as a bass player and other instruments for emergency filli ins and made those huge bucks. Ha ha.
banjoak - Posted - 08/15/2023: 12:28:19
One practical use - in adapting from typical song notation (not just for tenor banjo); with piano accompaniment; showing what the chords and movement is, as well as rhythm. The bass is often easiest focus to what's defining the chord, movement, or rhythm. Understanding the chords is practical to understand; can help expand understanding of music theory; especially if wanting to arrange and/or improvise.
banjoak - Posted - 08/15/2023: 12:42:36
quote:
Originally posted by trapdoor2
I use the Alto clef for my CGDA tenor. Of course, I also play the Viola.
That's a good point. The Alto clef makes sense. Using the treble clef doesn't seem well suited (if not annoying), with a lot on ledger lines below staff; or transposed by octave (like guitar) might put a lot of note on ledger lines above.
That said, most banjo players are not going to find it written specifically for CGDA tenor; nor be searching for viola parts. Rather use the just regular, much more available; written for C instruments, treble clef.
I am not sure what CGDA Tenor banjo music is typically written in, but my guess is they do like guitar and transpose by octave?
edit: I guess modern technology could use notation app like Musescore, and auto generate transposed to Alto clef
Edited by - banjoak on 08/15/2023 12:48:49
trapdoor2 - Posted - 08/15/2023: 12:49:43
quote:
Originally posted by banjoak
quote:
Originally posted by trapdoor2
I use the Alto clef for my CGDA tenor. Of course, I also play the Viola.
That's a good point. The Alto clef makes sense. Using the treble clef doesn't seem well suited (if not annoying), with a lot on ledger lines below staff; or transposed by octave (like guitar) might put a lot of note on ledger lines above.
I am not sure what CGDA Tenor banjo music is typically written in, but my guess is they do like guitar and transpose by octave?
Yes. Banjo (almost all variations) sheet music has been written in the treble clef, transposed, since the beginning. Even my Cello-Banjo uses it...but two octaves transposed.
I simply felt more comfortable in the alto clef due to my Viola experience. Reading the low C as middle C in the treble clef probably makes more sense.
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