Noob - trying to cut/paste selected notes from one staff to another

What is the best way to get from the attached "before" image to the "after" image?

I tried selecting the individual notes in the bass line of the alto clef, cutting them, then clicking the corresponding measure in the bass clef, but when I try to paste, nothing happens.

As a workaround, I ended up selecting all the notes in the alto clef, then copying them and pasting them (all) to the bass clef, then deleting the upper structure notes in the bass clef and the bass notes in the alto clef, so that all that was left was the phrase as shown in the "after" image.

I must be "noobing" something wrong here...

Thanks,
CH