Clef Signs

Anyhow, back to the topic of the Clef. There are three distinct clefs now in use:

Treble clef, or G clef.
Bass clef, or F clef.
Alto clef.
Tenor clef (alto and tenor are pitched differently but share the same clef symbol)

The Treble, Bass and Alto clef's are the most common. Each represent ornamental forms of letters, they being G, C and F, and represent respectively notes g' (octave above the 4th string of violin), c' (called middle C, 5th below g') and f (5th below c').

All three clefs were used in a variety of positions until the later half of the 18th century. Since then, the position of G (treble) clef has been on the second line of the stave. The F (bass) clef is positioned on the forth line, and the C clef is placed on either the third line (alto clef) or on the forth line (tenor clef).

It is quite easy to work out what stave line is represented by the clef. As a simple rule, the centre of the clef will pin-point the stave line.

The Alto clef, formally used for alto voice and alto trombone, is now used only for the viola. Tenor clef, formally used for tenor voice, is now used only for tenor trombone and the upper register of the bassoon, cello and double bass.