tenorsleutel

The tenorsleutel, also known as the tenor clef or C clef, is a musical symbol used in sheet music to indicate the pitch range of the notes written beneath it. It is shaped like the letter "C" and is positioned on the second line of the staff from the bottom. The tenorsleutel is commonly used for tenor voices and instruments, such as the tenor saxophone and the tenor trombone, as well as for certain ranges of the piano and guitar. The clef is also used in some modern compositions for instruments that are not traditionally associated with it, such as the violin or flute, to indicate a specific pitch range.

The tenorsleutel is read by placing the middle line of the staff on the note "C" and counting up or down from there. The notes on the lines of the staff are, from bottom to top, E, G, B, D, and F. The notes on the spaces between the lines are, from bottom to top, F, A, C, E, and G. The tenorsleutel is often used in combination with other clefs, such as the bass clef or the treble clef, to indicate different pitch ranges on the same staff.

The tenorsleutel was developed in the 16th century as part of the transition from medieval to modern musical notation. It was originally used for instruments such as the lute and the viol, which had a range that overlapped with both the treble and bass clefs. Over time, the tenorsleutel became more specialized, and it is now primarily used for tenor voices and instruments. However, it remains an important part of the musical notation system, and it is used in a wide variety of musical genres and styles.