Why is the Viola the only instrument using Alto cleff? Why did they make a whole new cleff for it?
Answers
Answer:
Why is the viola the only instrument to have a clef of its own? Why are there no other instruments that play in the alto clef?
The viola plays in the 3rd line C clef because that is how the range of the instrument is framed correctly and to advantage. The clef has lingered on because there was no decent way to adopt one of the other types and placements of clefs, i.e. the G (treble) and F (bass) clefs. In fact, it is indeed the single standard symphonic instrument left with this version of the C clef, but not the only one completely; the tenor trombone uses it too. The reason is that the range of all other instruments is centered less or more differently; instruments with a viable singing tenor register do still use another C clef when they are singing phrases in those ranges; that is the tenor clef, a 4th-line C clef; double bass, violoncello, bassoon, trombone, tuba perhaps…
Incidentally, these clefs have started out vocally, centered at the considered central pitch for corresponding vocalists; the alto clef is what had been used for female alto voices, having since been supplanted in that role by the treble clef for vocal music.
It is all, then, a practice that owes its survival combination of evolving historical process, functionality, convention, convenience and coincidence.
Answer:
Because the music that is notated for cello can be easily transcribed and because if provides from the least amount of ledger lines (lines added above or below the staff).
"Please correct me if I'm wrong"
Hope it Helps!