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Re: Bass cleff v Treble clef

Wendy Spencer wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Solo Cornet
> >
> >For as long as I can remember this argument has popped up from time to
> time.
> >I t is usually put forward by musical snobs from outside the band world
> (I'm
> >sure your wife doesn't fall into this category) who seek to prove that
> bands
> >are not properly musically literate and are therefore somehow less worthy
> >than other ensembles.
> >Rubbish, obviously!
> >The system is appropriate to band culture, allowing players to transfer
> >between instruments easily, and it has served well since the very first
> >saxhorn bands.
> >Non-brass musicians who claim to find the scores confusing simply need to
> >study, in the same way they had to learn alto and tenor clefs and a whole
> >range of transpositions to make sense of orchestral scores (assuming they
> >can).
> >Does anyone ever make similar criticisms of big-band scoring where the sax
> >parts from soprano to bass are also written exclusively in the treble clef?
>
> Here Here!!!
> I am sick to death of being criticised by certain colleagues who scoff at
> the brass band system of reading treble clef, then turn around and teach
> their entire families of saxophones AND clarinets treble clef without
> batting an eyelid.  It smacks of snobbery and hypocrisy to me.
>
> Regards,
> Wendy Spencer

OK,I didn't know the subject was fraught with danger and opened a "real can of
worms" when I asked the original question.
I have read the answers and I think this brass band page is probably the most
educational site I have ever found.
Thank you to everybody who added their 2 cents.
However, I must say I was somewhat chastened to read that OLD trombone music was
written in the tenor clef. The problem is: I don't recall any brass band
trombone music that was not written in the tenor clef ...................... I
guess that makes me real old (67)!
I was also interested by the comment that timpani parts are written in the bass
clef but I will resist asking what clef is bass drum music written in. And will
certainly not ask as to it's predominant key!
Thanks again for all of the input but before I go, could anyone please tell me
is the Dunchurch Band (near Rugby) is still going?
It was the last band I played with (BBb Bass), we played in Coventry Cathedral
in the summer of 1953 or was it 52?
I'm terribly old!
BillW


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>	 unsub brass-band
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