Bass: When does it turn to Treble Clef?

[The_Orlonater]

On the fingerboard when does it start being Treble Clef? The very beginning, though.

[tocoadog]

Um, I'd like to give this a shot, and if I'm wrong, 10 slashes. Someone might be able to explain it better anyway.

On a 4 string bass, A string, 3rd fret is low C. Second lowest C would be A string, 15th fret. Middle C is an octave higher at G string, 17th fret. Treble clef E is at G string, 21 fret.

Hope that is what you asking.

[Andrew Jones]

There could be 2 answers to this.


See the bass sounds one octave below where it is writen so that means there is where the pitch is actually writen or where if i just play bass and don't care.

Treble clef "starts" on the C that is the first line above the bass staff. I guess one could argue that it starts on the E thats 2 lines above the bass staff.

That C is the 5th fret of your g string.


That C is also middle C on a key board if you can play it you'll see that it is one octave higher than the 5th fret g string.


So.... that would coincide with the 17th fret g string.






Aj

[DocBop]

You talking about sound or how its written. Bass is written an octave higher than it sounds for ease of reading. Your question is vague in that you can write ledger lines below the treble clef down into note that lie on the bass clef and the reverse is true of the bass clef you can write ledger above the bass clef notes that would be in the treble clef.

I would say use a point of reference and Middle C is commonly used. So one ledger line below the treble clef is Middle C. On bass clef Middle C is the ledger line above the staff. Knowing that you can decide for yourself where the the transition point is.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Perhaps seeing it this way will help:

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by The_Orlonater

On the fingerboard when does it start being Treble Clef? The very beginning, though.

Wherever you like. That's like asking, "At what length do you begin to measure in feet rather than inches?"

If you're wondering where the treble clef lies in relation to the bass clef, see Alvaro's post.

If you're wondering how many ledger lines above the staff it is appropriate to write before switching to TC, I'd say two or so, unless it's just a note or two that's way up there. It's not worth your time to try to draw a treble clef for just a few notes.

[Andrew Jones]

I'm very comfortable up to the Bb, 4 lines up. The g at 3 three lines is a real land mark for me. Above that in the telephone poles I get useless, unless I've been reading my JJ Johnson transcription book,Alot.

Id rather see a 8va on bass clef than a switch in clefs.


Aj

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Reading ledger lines above the bass clef staff is a very common situation for lead trombone players since the instrument's high register moves within that area. Actually, lots of parts for a 1st trombone are written on C tenor clef (Middle C on the fourth line) to solve that situation, but it seems that lots of trombone players prefer to read ledger lines.

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by lemur821

Wherever you like. That's like asking, "At what length do you begin to measure in feet rather than inches?"

If you're wondering where the treble clef lies in relation to the bass clef, see Alvaro's post.

Right on the money. This thread may end now.