Writing in bass clef

BlueNote · 07-18-2004, 04:07 AM

Are there any shortcuts/tips (besides mnemonic devices) to writing in bass clef for someone who has never written in it before?

I found a chart that shows the different keys, and a staff diagram showing where all the notes are on the staff, but it seems a little confusing for me.

And is it true that notes in bass clef are written an octave lower, or written at the same levels as treble clef notes would be (i.e. range)?

Thanks!

Bnatural · 07-18-2004, 05:34 AM

I had a hard time doing bass clef til I took a theory course this year and it was just expected that we could read and analyze pieces in all clefs... so what i'm saying is force your self to do it...

On another note I don't wanna go across as insulting if you no it but, Are you familiar w/ the Grand staff (basically it's treble and bass put together w/ C (one ledger line) being the middle... ) that was what made it make most sense to me....

The easiest way to read it w/o really knowing it is to "transpose" so to speak. Like if the bass clef is on the treble space that's an A move it up a third to a C...... If you use it frequently it gets easier

If you want to play it... play it on alto.. paul coats has an article about that transposistion in the main page

I don't no how to answer your other question cause that largly depends on what your using it for... but i just look at them as different things and to go in between them w/o changing clefs uses leger lines

Can I ask what your purpose for it is??

BlueNote · 07-18-2004, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bnatural

...Can I ask what your purpose for it is??

I've been transcribing a JJ Johnson solo for a friend, but have been writing it in treble clef (in concert key), which won't mean much to him when he tries to read it.

And no, I honestly have never used or heard of the grand staff.
Thanks for the information, bnatural!

Bnatural · 07-18-2004, 06:05 AM

Glad to help... and if you wanted more of a lesson about that kind of theory stuff I've always liked how things are explained in the lessons on www.musictheory.net

sskilton · 07-18-2004, 09:55 AM

Just wanted to say thank you to Bnatural.

I have just had a look round the music theory web site. It is excellent. I have saved it in my favourites list.

8)

bariman · 08-07-2004, 01:47 AM

When I have been going the other way (transposing bass clef to an e-flat part), I have noticed that it is the same spacing, but with 3 extra sharps in C. I believe a b-flat instrument is 5 semitones below bass clef. Not sure. Good luck with the transpostion!

Bariman

HC · 08-07-2004, 05:45 AM

Bariman, couldn't have said it better myself. I do want to add that if the note in the key signiture becomes a natural, you make it a sharp. If the note is not in the keysigniture, read the accidental as printed.

To hopefully explain the "add three sharps" better, for example, if there is three flats, there will be no accidentals, if there is 5 flats, there will be 2 flats, if there is one sharp, there will now be 4 sharps. Think it about it in your algebra days, think sharps as positive numbers and flats as negative numbers. -5 (5 flats)+3 (3sharps)= -2 (2 flats)

KSQ · 08-07-2004, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC

I do want to add that if the note in the key signiture becomes a natural, you make it a sharp.

Just to add a cautionary note (no pun intended) -- it depends on what the natural is cancelling, and (more importantly) what pitch it is modifying. For example, a C-natural on the bass clef (second space) would be an A-natural on an E-flat instrument -- not an A-sharp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC

If the note is not in the keysigniture, read the accidental as printed.

Again, it depends. An A-natural on bass clef (cancelling either an A-flat or an A-sharp) would be an F-sharp on alto/bari, not an F-natural (this would be in line with your other point); an E-flat on bass clef would be a C-natural on alto/bari, etc.

Mel · 08-09-2004, 11:02 AM

I would never want to impede the progress of musicianship, but you should give programs like Finale a try if you have to do lots of transpositions. They have a free notepad version available for download online. Music theory is definately a very worthwhile road to venture down, and the bass clef is something that should be understood and mastered; it's simply a matter of whether you have the time to transpose many pieces by hand.

**gary** · 08-09-2004, 01:33 PM

I deleted a brilliant, long post having discovered his original post was a couple of weeks ago and he's probably figured it all out by now anyway.

Mel · 08-09-2004, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary

I deleted a brilliant, long post having discovered his original post was a couple of weeks ago and he's probably figured it all out by now anyway.

Hmm...I forgot to look at the date.

But Gary, next time you come up with something brilliant, share it with us. I'm sure even if the original poster figured the problem out, other people who are scavenging for information (using the search button!...or browsing the pages) would have found it helpful. You never know, we may even let you know of your brilliance someday...

**gary** · 08-09-2004, 04:36 PM

ROTFLMAO !!!

Yeah. We wouldn't want to keep a light hidden under a basket, would we?