Clefs - Music Lab

Treble Clef (G Clef)

The treble clef spirals around the second line from the bottom, marking it as G4. It is used for higher-pitched instruments and voices such as violin, flute, and soprano.

Lines (bottom to top)

E – G – B – D – F — Mnemonic: “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge”

Spaces (bottom to top)

F – A – C – E — Mnemonic: “FACE”

Remember: The treble clef is sometimes called the “G clef” because the curl wraps around the G line.

Bass Clef (F Clef)

The bass clef begins with a dot on the fourth line from the bottom, marking it as F3. It is used for lower-pitched instruments and voices such as cello, bassoon, and bass.

Lines (bottom to top)

G – B – D – F – A — Mnemonic: “Good Boys Do Fine Always”

Spaces (bottom to top)

A – C – E – G — Mnemonic: “All Cows Eat Grass”

Remember: The bass clef is also called the “F clef” because the two dots bracket the F line.

Grand Staff

The grand staff combines the treble and bass clef staves joined by a brace and barline. A ledger line called Middle C sits between them.

Component	Detail	Common Use
Treble Staff	5 lines, G clef	Right hand (piano), melody
Bass Staff	5 lines, F clef	Left hand (piano), bass lines
Middle C	Ledger line between staves	Shared reference point
Brace	Connects both staves	Indicates they are read together

Ledger Lines

Ledger lines are short lines added above or below the staff to extend its range. Each ledger line follows the same pattern of alternating lines and spaces.

Ledger Line	Treble (above)	Bass (below)
1st above	A5	B2
2nd above	C6	D3
1st below	B4 (Middle C area)	F2
2nd below	G4	D2

Tip: Piano music frequently uses ledger lines. The “8va” symbol can be used to avoid too many ledger lines by indicating an octave higher or lower.