What type of clef is C clef?

The C clef is classified as a movable clef because its position on the staff indicates which pitch is represented as middle C. Unlike fixed clefs such as the treble and bass clefs, which consistently denote specific pitches, the C clef can be placed on different lines of the staff. Depending on its placement, the C clef can represent different parts for instruments or voices. For example, when the C clef is positioned on the third line of the staff, it denotes that line as middle C, effectively making it the clef for instruments like the alto and tenor voices. This flexibility allows for a more adaptable scoring for various ranges and instruments.

In contrast, fixed clefs do not change their meaning based on position, and other options like sounding clef and standard clef denote concepts that do not accurately apply to the C clef's function. The movable nature of the C clef is significant for musicians as it allows for a range of notation solutions across different musical contexts.