Note Names on the Staff

During the Medieval period, musicians developed a system of notation using five lines (eventually) and letter names to notate different pitches. The “G-Clef,” also called the treble clef indicates that the second line from the bottom is a G.

An easy way to remember the spaces of treble clef: F A C E (bottom up)

An easy way to remember the lines of treble clef: Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

E

C

A

F

Notes that are off the staff have short lines through them called ledger lines to mark their distance from the staff.

The “F-Clef,” also called bass clef, indicates that the second line from the top is an F.

An easy way to remember the spaces of bass clef: All Cows Eat Grass

An easy way to remember the lines of bass clef: Good Balloons Don’t Fly Away

G

E

C

A