The alto clef, C3-E6; tuned to CGDA corresponds to which instrument's range?

The alto clef, C3-E6; tuned to CGDA corresponds to which instrument's range?

• A. Violin Range and Tuning
• B. Cello Range and Tuning
• C. Viola Range and Tuning
• D. Double Bass Range and Tuning

Answer: (C)

The combination of the alto clef and the tuning CGDA points to the viola. The alto clef places middle C on the third line, which is the clef most commonly used for viola music. The range C3 to E6 fits the typical viola range written in alto clef, spanning from the low C string up to notes well above one of the higher strings. The strings on the viola are tuned lowest to highest as C, G, D, A (CGDA), matching the given tuning. Other options don’t fit because violin music uses the treble clef and tuning G-D-A-E, cello uses CGDA but an octave lower and is read in bass/tenor clefs, and double bass uses a different tuning (E-A-D-G) and clefs.

The combination of the alto clef and the tuning CGDA points to the viola. The alto clef places middle C on the third line, which is the clef most commonly used for viola music. The range C3 to E6 fits the typical viola range written in alto clef, spanning from the low C string up to notes well above one of the higher strings. The strings on the viola are tuned lowest to highest as C, G, D, A (CGDA), matching the given tuning.

Other options don’t fit because violin music uses the treble clef and tuning G-D-A-E, cello uses CGDA but an octave lower and is read in bass/tenor clefs, and double bass uses a different tuning (E-A-D-G) and clefs.