I'm trying to learn this clef (Organ) and I'm just wondering.... how? I'm doing it by intervals right now.

Hello! I searched the alto clef on google, which you've probably already done, but found a viola forum where someone has tried to explain the alto clef. This is probably old news to you, but I hope it helps! Here's where I found it: http://www.8notes.com/f/32_22807.asp?y=1&sterm=alto%20clef

Its easier when you are going from alto clef and playing on violin. I kinda think up and octave and down however many steps.... by interval too. After you've used it a few times you kind of get to know what note is which. I did it the same way learning bass clef when I began playing piano, memorised B then added a couple more to my memory and finally it becomes automatic.

Are you working on Widor's 2nd Symphony (Salve Regina movement) or de Maleingreau's Symphonie de la Passion?

Or Bach? Or something like Corrette?

The Widor comes with some practice. It helps to hear a recording - play the alto clef part along with the recording too.

I find it helps to (sort of) memorize the part. Then when the alto clef part appears, I almost have to blank it out, mentally - and rely on my muscle memory to get me through.

The Symphonie de la Passion on the other hand, is practically impossible. Huge chord clusters, highly chromatic & full of accidentals. It goes on, page after page after page.

I'm not sure pianists are aware of what we organists (sometimes) have to go through! I've not seen alto clef in any piano pieces that I can recall.

It's not so bad when you play one clef at a time, but in organ music you may see F clef, G clef, and C clef simultaneously!

I'm learning the alto clef too. I did research on it at first and have tried to approach it different ways but this is how I'm learning it:

1. Learn the lines and the spaces. (Just like with treble and bass)

Lines: F A C E G
Spaces: G B D F

2. Photocopy a single page of music or something similar and carry it around with you, every time you have a free moment, whip it out and see how fast you can say the notes.

3. Sight-reading.

Hope this helps--good luck to you!

sweet melody is right. I think the trick to learning alto clef is simply to learn how to read it. Get away from the "transposition" mindset and learn the notes by line and space. Sight read. Practice naming notes. Both are great suggestions.

I've played viola for nearly 30 years now, and I have more trouble communicating in English than I do reading alto clef. But I often have to play out of hymnals where I read the tenor line in bass clef. My approach there is not to think "what would this note be in alto clef?" but rather, that note is a G or A or C.

Best of luck.

In addition to what Tony says, it is also handy to know that the middle of the clef sign where the two backward C's meet is like an arrow point directly at middle C.