What is Viola Clef & How Violists Read Music https://violinspiration.com/wp-content/uploads/What-is-Viola-Clef-How-Violists-Read-Music.jpg

Whether you’re a violinist or violist, it’s helpful to know what a viola clef is!

When I first heard a viola and really listened, I thought maybe it would be another easy instrument to pick up after learning the violin. But after some further investigation, I found that this instrument that’s so seemingly similar to the violin has its own unique clef!

A clef in sheet music notation is the special sign we see at the beginning of the staff. It tells us what pitch is assigned to lines and spaces in the staff.

I had no idea, after my piano and violin experience, that there was a third clef out there after treble and bass clefs: the elusive “alto clef.”

Today I’ll share with you how this clef works, how to read its notes, and how it compares to our own violin clef.

And for any violists in the room, I’ll also share ways you can play my treble clef music on your viola! I want you to be able to join in on the fun here at Violinspiration!

viola clef - viola instrument
A Viola. Photo by Ż. Lejwoda

What is the clef for viola?

The official name for viola clef is “Alto Clef,” which is also called “C Clef.” The alto clef is shaped somewhat like the number 3, and the inner point “points” to the center line on the staff: Middle C.

viola clef - alto clef middle C

Why viola clef is called “alto clef”?

If you know the names of the four individual parts in vocal music, you might recognize the word “alto.” This is one of a few special Italian words that describe the four voices:

  • Soprano: highest high voice (usually female)
  • Alto: lower high voice (usually female)
  • Tenor: higher low voice (usually male)
  • Bass: lowest low voice (usually male)
viola clef - four most common voices and their ranges

Sometimes you can also see the mezzo soprano – mid high voice, and the baritone – mid low voice.

Do you have an idea of how these terms might relate to the string instruments?

Each instrument in the violin family corresponds to one of the four voices:

  • Violin = soprano
  • Viola = alto
  • Cello = tenor
  • Double bass = bass

So, viola uses the clef for altos, which reduces the use of the ledger lines.

Ledger lines – additional lines in the sheet music added above or below the staff.

Does viola play in C clef?

Yes – another name for Alto Clef is “C Clef.” Middle C is the center line (third line) on the staff and the intersection of the two curves of the clef point to that middle c line.

The C clef can be moved anywhere on the staff to avoid reading ledger lines. Another popular C clef is “tenor clef,” which is sometimes used in cello and double bass music.

viola clef - tenor clef middle C

Why does viola use alto clef?

Viola is the alto instrument in orchestral music, and its range is the closest to the human voice. Because of its specific range (C3-E6), the Alto clef is the most suited for average situations. The majority of the viola’s range can be easily read in this clef, using only a few ledger lines.

viola clef - viola range

In other words, the treble clef doesn’t reach low enough for the low C string notes on the viola, and the bass clef just doesn’t reach high enough for notes on the D and A strings. Alto clef is a very happy medium.

Would you like to learn what’s the violin range? Check out my post What Is the Range of a Violin – Q&A.

Comparing Alto clef to other clefs

The treble clef shows a higher range of notes; the alto clef is a nice mid-range, and the bass clef shows a lower range of notes.

See the examples below to have an overview of how the same notes would be written in different clefs.

viola clef - comparison with treble clef
viola clef - comparison with bass clef

Do violists read treble clef?

Yes, violists sometimes read treble clef when they play high notes. Using treble clef for higher notes on the A string helps to avoid reading high ledger lines.

Viola music (especially orchestral music) will switch to reading treble clef notes around E5 (the same pitch as the violin E string) and higher. Notes below E5 should generally be written in Alto clef.

viola clef - example of sheet music notation

How can I read alto clef on viola?

In the alto clef, the middle line of the staff is middle C. This C is the third finger on the G string, right around the middle of the viola’s 1st position range.

If you’ve learned any different clefs before, you might’ve been taught an acronym to remember the five lines and four spaces. For the alto clef, the line notes can be remembered, from bottom to top, with the sentence Fat Alley Cats Eat Garbage.

viola clef - notes names on the staff

It’s also useful to learn where are the open string notes in the sheet music.

viola clef - viola open string notes
viola clef - viola strings
A Viola. Photo by Ż. Lejwoda

How to read treble clef on viola

It can be helpful to learn guide notes: one or two notes that you know very well in a new clef. Then, if you need to play other notes in the new clef, you can count up or down from your guide note to figure out the new note.

viola clef - viola open string in the treble clef notation

In treble clef, middle C is one ledger line below the staff. This note is 3rd finger on the G string.

viola clef - middle C position

A very helpful guide note to know in Treble clef is E5 – the same pitch as the violin’s open string E, and 4th finger E on your A string.

If viola music switches to a treble clef, it’ll probably be right around this point in the range. E is the 4th space on the staff.

Final Thoughts

As a violinist, it’s very smart to be aware of how the other instruments in the string family operate. That includes understanding that the viola plays in alto clef (viola clef), and the cello and bass play in bass clef.

And if you’re a violist, it’s also incredibly helpful to learn how to read treble clef. Be sure to check out my beginner lessons on reading music if you’d like to start learning today!

Or, if you come across my blog to look for some tips on which instrument – violin or viola – might be better for you, make sure to check out this post.

Have you ever tried to play viola? Let me know in the comments below if you’d ever expand out to this larger instrument!

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kim/likes/violas

thank you for this I’ve played viola for 2 1/2 years now and i felt like i was missing something and turns out i was right so thanks angin for this i’m going to send this to my viola friend ( who just started lol)

Skinny Karlos

Just above “Final Thoughts” I think you miswrote ‘G’ rather that ‘C’. How could you make such a mistake?

Pavel Kozák

Anybody needs an intro to the C viola clef?  (As a pre-requisite, will you paint the double staff for piano.) …and now draw a C-viola clef so absurdly stretched that its upper end starts at g1 in the G-clef-right_hand’s_staff (the second line from its bottom), the C-clef’s central < (~the historical c-letter germ) covers just the sensible land-of-nobody between the staves, around the c1; and its lower end reaches to f in the F-clef of the left_hand’s_staff (the second line from its top).  The trick is that if we buy a music-staff note-book at stationery, it can be for any… Read more »

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Gwendolyn Karen

I’m confused why the letter g is on the middle c line. What am I missing? On the very bottom graphic. Duh I got it. It’s the third finger on the g string

Charlie D

i can play a little but not good .i’m trying to learn the violin by ear but I’m also learning some about playing by reading notes. just trying yo play to play with other people and i just love the sound of the violin.
i’m using the Suzukie book 1 which i have started several times and thought i could play but this time is different i’m more determined and have more time .

Deborah Johnson

I play the viola and also teach it. At the present time I only have one viola student but I have many violin students. I love to look at your articles for any skills I might be missing. I am not good at transposing violin music to viola.

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Fran P

As a student in an orchestra, you meet so many musicians and you become acquaintances with so many band members. It was a true experience and a pleasure to play in an orchestra, because to tend to learn not only the string family, but you automatically hear and learn other instruments. I had a friend that had rattlesnake rattles inside her Viola’s sound post. The Viola is a beautiful instrument, and I was fortunate enough to play and hold the viola. 

Ruth

I have been playing viola for over 60 years. Up until 2 years ago I only knew the alto clef. I am now working on the Treble clef. I am having a tough time but my motto is slow and steady. I am also learning to play in third position. Eight years ago when I retired I bought my own viola outfit. Two years ago I found a wonderful and skillful luthier who built a beautiful custom instrument literally from the forest. The instrument sings so melodically. This article was perfectly timed. My current teacher is also helping to facilitate… Read more »

Debby Tracy

I have tried playing the viola for a couple of years, then went back to the violin. I LOVE the viola sound, I felt it was too big for me to handle. I still have my viola books. The challenge is to perhaps find a smaller viola with the same beautiful mellow sound.

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Shula

Switched/added viola to my chamber music playing after 40
Years of playing violin but it’s taken another few years to unlearn ‘cheat’ fingering. Use the violin 3rd position fingering in first position (ie d would be first finger on a string in 3rd position on violin is 1st finger D string in first position on viola)

Karen Thoerner

I do have a viola and violin. I was just learning the treble cleft and then got my viola and that alto cleft was very hard going between back and forth. I finally got the
treble cleft after a while of practice. Now I’m ready for the alto cleft music. Thank you for the inspiration to move forward

Rosemary Marusak

What a GREAT article!! I feel so smart now 🙂 I have never tried viola but I love its sound. I love all stringed instruments and play (not very well) several. I am just starting violin- I’m getting older so don’t know if I’ll ever make it to viola, but I encourage the youngsters to try it – One can never learn too many instruments!

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Verle Coon

No..the viola may be something I would consider in the future but not soon.

Ginny

I sort of play violin and viola, mostly by ear. I much prefer the tone and range of the viola. I haven’t learned to read alto clef, so I simply play violin music as written for violin on the viola, pretending I’m playing on GDAE when I’m really playing on CGDA. There is a wonderful melancholy in the minor keys on the viola that is so beautiful.

Julia, could you teach viola as well as violin?

Betsy

I have a 14″ viola and a 3/4 size violin. I do not use the alto clef printed music written for viola. I play piano and flute and it’s easier for me to read and play music written for those instruments, of course I have to remember that the viola strings are a 5th lower than violin strings. But this method works for me.

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Steve K

Your a wonderful teacher Julia. I am embarrassed to say that I am one of the folks who also had no idea there even was an Alto Clef. I sing in the church choir a well as play the violin in the church orchestra. To me choir singing is a complete mystery. There are almost no articles or instruction available on the internet pertaining to singing especially singing in a group with different voices. Do you have any thoughts or instruction to lend to this ? Thanks Julia

Christopher

There is also another clef of the same shape as an alto clef called the tenor clef. The middle of the alto clef sits on the next line above (2nd. from top line of a stave) and still indicates middle C, thus it turns into the tenor clef.

nick c

I actually play the viola. I was wondering if there is any quick way to transpose treble clef music to alto clef, considering there is so much more violin music out there.

online violin lessons - step-by-step
Lauren Wagener

Hi! I’ve played violin for about 9 years, but I’ve lately been wanting to try learning viola! After reading this article, I’m going to start practicing reading alto clef, and hopefully can rent a viola soon!

Esmeralda

I actually have tried the viola. I really loved it but it was a little frustrating trying to learn alto clef.

Jaycee

Hey how do you play the violin

online violin lessons - step-by-step