What's the normal clef used for the trombone in 17th century music? Original is in C4.
Thanks,
Dennis
Trombonists at that time were expected to read the C clef on every line, plus bass clef and the sub-bass clef (F clef on top line). Remember that a whole S A T B consort of trombones was in use at that time, and that different instruments would be used according to the range of the piece.
The soprano trb. was a rarity in the 17th c (mostly doubled choral sopranos). The alto trombone would typically be used for parts written in alto or tenor clef, the tenor for those in tenor or bass, and the bass for those in bass or subbass.
The upshot: use alto, tenor, or bass clef depending on which best fits the range of the part. No point in inflicting the subbass clef on a modern trombonist...
-- Andrew Stiller Kallisti Music Press
Andrew is exactly right, and the use of alto, tenor and bass clefs for alto, tenor and bass trombones lasted through the end of the 19th century in orchestral music. A more pertinent question, however, might be what clefs to use for modern players. Granted, well-prepared symphony trombonists will be able to read anything you put in front of them, just as horn and trumpet players will, but Concert Band, Military Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble players do NOT, generally speaking, read the C clefs. And students will typically not read tenor clef, either, unless they are studying with a teacher who makes sure they do. So it's important to identify the level of skill the players you are writing for will have.
John
-- John & Susie Howell Virginia Tech Department of Music Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A 24061-0240 Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034 (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
