C-clefs

Article about the C clefs. Description and usage of the C-clefs and how to draw them: Learn how to use the soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and the alto clef.

There are four kinds of C-clefs:

• Soprano clef
• Mezzo-soprano clef
• Alto clef
• Tenor clef

Soprano clef

The soprano clef set the position of the C note on the staff (stave ) on the first line.

The soprano clef was used for soprano voices (upper women voices), that's why this clef is called soprano clef, but nowadays this clef is only used for transposition for some players, and for conductors.

Here are positions of the music notes with a soprano clef:

Mezzo-soprano clef

The mezzo-soprano clef set the position of the C note on the staff on the second line.

The mezzo-soprano clef was used for mezzo-soprano voices (middle voices of women and children), that's why this clef is called mezzo-soprano, but nowadays this clef is only used for transposition for some players, and for conductors.

Here are positions of the music notes with a mezzo-soprano clef:

Alto clef

The alto clef set the position of the C note on the staff on the third line.

The alto clef was used for the contralto voices (lower women voices), that's why this clef is called alto clef.

Nowadays the alto clef is used by:

• Viola
• Viola da gamba
• Alto trombone

Here are positions of the music notes with a alto clef:

Tenor clef

The tenor clef set the position of the C note on the staff on the fourth line.

The tenor clef was used for the tenor voices (upper man voices), that's why this clef is called tenor clef.

Nowadays the tenor clef is used by:

• Cello (in the upper register)
• Double bass (in the upper register)
• Trombone (in the upper register)
• Bassoon (in the upper register)

Here are positions of the music notes with an tenor clef:

How to draw a C-clef

Here is shown how to draw a C-clef:

Evolution of the C-clef symbol

In the book A history of music by Charles Villiers Stanford and Cecil Forsyth, a representation of evolution of the C-clef is exposed (source):

Test your knowledge

How many C-clef are there?

C-clefs set the position of:

The soprano clef set the position of the C note on:

The mezzo-soprano clef set the position of the C note on:

The alto clef set the position of the C note on:

The tenor clef set the position of the C note on:

Tenor clef

Article about the tenor clef (C-clef). Description and usage of the bass clef and how to draw it.

Alto clef

Article about the alto clef (C-clef). Description and usage of the bass clef and how to draw it.

Mezzo-soprano clef

Article about the mezzo-soprano clef (C-clef). Description and usage of the bass clef and how to draw it.

Soprano clef

Article about the soprano clef (C-clef). Description and usage of the bass clef and how to draw it.

External links to learn more about :

1 - https://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheory1.htm
2 - https://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheory14.htm
3 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clef
4 - https://musicterms.artopium.com/c/Cclef.htm