Re: MusicXML clefs

Glad the positioning of clefs has been sorted out: it can be confusing as
these days only the C clef tends to be used in different positions, though
originally all could be.

But to return to the other part of the question:

>.and allows offsetting the octave, but does not say what octave to use.

 

The C clef indicates middile C; the G clef indicates the G above middle C;
the F clef indicates the F below middle C.

 

If you stick an 8 (or a 15!) above or below the clef, this is regarded by
many as being a different clef, from when the 8 is absent.    I have always
regarded that view as being completely unhelpful  (and a gratuitous
proliferation of the number of clefs).

Rather I regard the clefs as *always* pitched as above, and the '8' as an
extra (optional) symbol which indicates that the music is to sound at an
octave different from its written pitch.

In these days of  "transposing instruments" we are completely accustomed to
the sounding pitch of many (most?) instruments being different from their
written pitch.  If the difference is other than an octave (instruments 'in
Bb', in 'Eb', 'in G' etc) this is indicated only on the assignment of the
part, either explicitly (eg 'Clarinet in Bb'), or implicitly, especially for
'octave transposing instruments' when the 8 is omitted from above/below the
clef  (eg 'Piccolo',  'Contrabass').   Given that the 8 Is not always
present, we therefore obviously include the notion of an 'octave transposing
instrument'.

 

Note also that in music for descant recorder, the same piece can be
published in different editions with and without an 8 over the clef.  I find
it nonsensical to regard the instrument as a concert pitch instrument
playing from 'an octave treble clef' in one case, and a transposing
instrument playing from a treble clef in the other. 

 

So why the '8' at all?

Well it is popular in specific situations.  In music for tenor voice (treble
clef sounding an octave down) it is the only voice sounding at a different
octave, so it can be a helpful reminder.   Early music consorts were often
written for whatever group of instruments were available.   So it is handy
to indicate that a part should sound an octave different without specifying
'descant recorder',  'bass recorder' etc.   And that's about it.

So I would argue that the C clef indicates middle C; the G clef indicates
the G above middle C;  the F clef indicates the F below middle C.    Always.

(NB: Few 'transposing instruments' use C and F clefs but there are some:
double bass when it goes into tenor clef, and French Horn in bass clef are
two examples.)

 

Dave

 

David Webber
Mozart Music Software
http://www.mozart.co.uk

 

 

 

 

David Webber
Mozart Music Software
http://www.mozart.co.uk