Klarinet Archive - Posting 000224.txt from 1997/09

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Why only treble clef?
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 23:06:27 -0400

Well, it seems to me that the treble clef is naturally the clef for the
clarinet, because most of the notes on the grand staff in our range,
from first line (treble E) and above fall on the treble. You could, I
suppose, play in bass and use ledger lines, but it's probably more
efficient to play in treble clef and keep the notes in a practical and
understandable position.

It's like scientists who use scientific notation. Rather than saying
the mass of the sun is 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 kg,
it's much easier to say it's 2 x 10^30 kg. Just like with the zeros why
write all those ledger lines, when you can put the note on the treble
staff?

Don't piano players have 8va and 15va marked to make their music easier
to read, putting overlapping parts on two staves, instead of scrunching
it into one.

I can read both clefs as well, but I find it easier to use treble on
clarinet, and bass on tuba. There's no real reason why you couldn't
switch I suppose, but to me, the question is: why?

We all speak on this subject with bias though, because we are accustomed
to seeing the part in treble. If we were taught bass clef with ledger
lines from the beginning then the idea of playing in treble would be
just as foreign.

Impressive question, Mark -- it makes you really think. I'm very
interested in seeing the other responses to this thread, possibly with a
historical explanation I'm unqualified (and unable) to give.

--
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711

Quote of the Day:

"When someone attaches unkindness to criticism,
she's angry. Angry peoplen need to criticize as
an outlet for their anger. That's why you must reject
unkind criticism. Unkind criticism is never part of a
meaningful critique of you. Its purpose is not to
teach or to help, its purpose is to punish."
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