The Staff
Music is written on a staff โ five horizontal lines with four spaces between them. Each line and space represents a different note. Notes higher on the staff are higher in pitch.
๐ผ Treble Clef (G Clef)
The treble clef is used for higher voices (soprano, mezzo, tenor) and most instruments. The clef symbol curls around the second line, which is G.
Lines (bottom to top):
Spaces (bottom to top) spell:
๐ผ Bass Clef (F Clef)
The bass clef is used for lower voices (baritone, bass) and left-hand piano. The two dots sit on either side of the fourth line, which is F.
Lines (bottom to top):
Spaces (bottom to top):
Ledger Lines
Notes above or below the staff are written on short extra lines called ledger lines. Middle C (C4) sits on a ledger line โ one line below the treble staff or one line above the bass staff.
๐ต Sharps and Flats
A sharp (โฏ) raises a note by one half-step. A flat (โญ) lowers it by one half-step. These symbols appear just to the left of the note head on the staff.
What note is this?