Any tips for transposing alto to bass clef?

[MikeStew40]

I’ve played bass clef all my life and regretably I’ve never bothered to learn any other clef but now I’m so engrossed by my new alto trombone that I want to learn everything about it. I’ve looked into it and it kinda looks like all the notes on the alto clef are just one step up like from line to space. Thank you for your time and helping a non-theory minded player find his way -

[AndrewMeronek]

One step plus one octave. Remember that the Alto Clef is a C clef, meaning the C goes through the middle.

Long term, it's easier to just memorize the alto clef as its own unique thing. Congrats on grabbing an alto trombone. They're great!

[MikeStew40]

One step plus one octave. Remember that the Alto Clef is a C clef, meaning the C goes through the middle.

Long term, it's easier to just memorize the alto clef as its own unique thing. Congrats on grabbing an alto trombone. They're great!

Thank you!!! The plan was to try to memorize it but the quick way is mostly just a backup plan

[Doug Elliott]

Memorize just 2 notes on the alto clef staff today. Add one more tomorrow. In a week you'll know all of them.

[LeTromboniste]

One step plus one octave. Remember that the Alto Clef is a C clef, meaning the C goes through the middle.

Long term, it's easier to just memorize the alto clef as its own unique thing. Congrats on grabbing an alto trombone. They're great!

Thank you!!! The plan was to try to memorize it but the quick way is mostly just a backup plan

It's better to jump right in than have back-up plans. If you're always keeping the "transposition" version in mind as a back up plan, you're likely not going to learn it very fast. The best approach to learning new clefs, transpositions or even just instruments is to jump right in and learn them without needing to relate them to what you already know (it's just too easy to fall back to your comfort zone otherwise, and the comfort zone is not where you learn)

[Kbiggs]

Buy one of several different books (tutors, primers) to learn to read alto clef. Reginald Fink and Ralph Sauer wrote some good ones:

http://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/trom ... o-clef.php

http://www.hickeys.com/music/brass/trom ... ies-36.php

[BGuttman]

I have a book I got from someone on TTF (forget who. Neo Bri?) for teaching alto clef that actually starts with exercises in bass clef. Being able to read bass clef on an alto trombone can be a very useful skill. While I was getting used to my alto I used to bring it to community band rehearsals and play my 1st trombone parts on it (in bass clef). With an instrument with a Bb attachment, you can play any note a tenor can except for low E below the bass staff. On a straight alto, you are limited in the low range to A at the bottom of the bass staff, but this may not be a problem if you are generally playing high parts.

The important thing to remember is that each clef is a way to represent notes. If you can look at the clef and know what note it is, and then set your trombone to play that note, you are in control.

If you flow that way (and I don't) you could learn to play transposed treble Eb parts. The notes in 1st position are C, G, C, E, G (starting one line below the treble staff) which will sound Eb, Bb, Eb, G, Bb.

[MikeStew40]

I have a book I got from someone on TTF

What’s the name?? I might try to see if I can buy it somewhere

[timothy42b]

Harrison was the person on TTF who donated the alto trombone method. I don't know if he's here or not, but a google on "Harrison alto trombone method" turned up a link to download.

[marccromme]

Finke wrote a nicee booklet some decades ago called 'learning the alto clef'. Simple melodies in bass and alto clef, from very easy to slightly advanced. This works!

He also wrote 'learning the tenor clef' Works too!

[timothy42b]

I have a trumpet Arban book, and I play a bit out of each section reading it as alto, but adding two sharps.

Naturals are a challenge! I think it exercises my brain.

[Driswood]

Memorize just 2 notes on the alto clef staff today. Add one more tomorrow. In a week you'll know all of them.

How I learned bass clef when I was a treble clef baritone player in high school.

Sound advice!

This was before I started trombone in college and scrapped euphonium!

[bennieemado]

Hi. Could anyone please help me to find a famous painting which has two focal points?

[Bonearzt]

A friend of mine in Phoenix, Frank Darmiento, wrote a nice Alto piece.
https://darmiento.com/sackbut-music

Eric