AboutPhil Kelly Expertise I`m a semi-retired professional music arranger with over thirty five years in all phases of the commercial music production business. I can try to answer questions regarding music arranging, theory, orchestration , and/or composition for most acoustic ensembles .( jazz band or orchestral ) I can try to offer suggestions about studio music recording procedures and some basic MIDI applications , too. In the course of my career I`ve worked with such artists as Doc Severinsen and the old Tonight Show Band, Bill Watrous, Buddy Greco, John Gary, Mel Torme, Julius LaRosa, as well as the Pop programs of the Fort Worth, Dallas, North Carolina, and Houston Symphonies, as well as library music material for ABC, ESPN, and NFL Films.
Expert: Phil Kelly Date: 6/1/2008 Subject: score-writing
Question Hi.
I am writing an orchestral piece. In writing the piece, would I need to have both the alto and the tenor clefs present in the score?
Thanks,
Marty.
Answer Hi Marty:
Normally, the only clefs you'll be using are treble, bass, and for viola, alto clef.
However, there are situations where a extended high passage for cello ( and sometimes trombone ) may be easier to annotate in the tenor clef ( to cut down of excessive ledger lines )
By the same token, some high viola passages may use the treble clef.
Keep in mind that jazz oriented trombone players would prefer either the ledger lines, or an 8va marking over the desired passage.
Hope that helps!
Phil Kelly
www.philkellymusic.com
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