Clef facts for kids
A clef is a special symbol you see at the start of a music staff. It helps musicians figure out what notes to play. The word "clef" comes from a French word meaning "key." Think of it as the "key" to understanding the notes on the page!
A music staff has five lines. Notes are placed on these lines and in the spaces between them. A single staff can only show about one and a half octaves of music. This means it can't show all the high and low notes. So, different clefs are used for high music and for low music. This makes sure all notes fit on the staff, sometimes with extra ledger lines.
Contents
Treble Clef
The treble clef is drawn with a fancy swirl. It starts with a circle in the middle. Then it goes up, around, and straight down with a hook. The second line from the bottom of the staff goes right through the middle of the treble clef's circle. A note on this line is a G. This is why the treble clef is also called a "G clef."
The treble clef is used for high notes. Notes higher than Middle C are usually written in this clef. When playing the piano, your right hand usually reads music in the treble clef. Many instruments use the treble clef. These include the violin, flute, oboe, recorder, and trumpet. High singing voices also read music in the treble clef.
Alto Clef (Viola Clef)
The alto clef is a type of "C clef." The middle of a C clef points to Middle C. In the alto clef, Middle C is on the third line of the staff. Music for the Viola is written in this clef. That's why it's also known as the "viola clef." Some alto trombone players also learn to read the alto clef.
Tenor Clef
The tenor clef is another "C clef." For this clef, Middle C is on the fourth line up from the bottom. Tenor trombone players need to read the tenor clef. Cellists, Double bass players, and bassoonists also use the tenor clef. They use it when their music goes very high.
Bass Clef
The bass clef is often used for the left hand in piano music. Low-sounding instruments mostly read from the bass clef. These include the cello, double bass, and bassoon. The bass clef is an "F clef." This is because its two dots are on either side of the fourth line up. This line is an F note, which is below Middle C.
Choosing the Right Clef
The clef used depends on the music being played. For example, in piano music, the left hand might read in the bass clef. The right hand notes might be in the treble clef.
In choir music, sopranos and altos usually sing from the treble clef. Tenors also often sing from the treble clef. However, their notes sound an octave lower than written. A small 8 below the clef shows this. Basses sing from the bass clef.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
Diagram of treble, alto and bass clefs with identical-sounding musical notes aligned vertically
-
C major scale, French violin clef.
-
C major scale, baritone F-clef.
-
C major scale, baritone C-clef.
-
C major scale, bass clef.
-
C major scale, alto clef.
-
C major scale, tenor clef.
-
C major scale, mezzo-soprano clef.
-
Soprano clef
-
C major scale, soprano clef.
-
The same line on the stave in different clefs means different pitches. The line indicating C (going from the center of a clef) is marked in orange.- soprano clef
- mezzo-soprano clef
- alto clef
- tenor clef
- baritone clef
-
Three types of suboctave treble clef showing middle C
-
C major scale, suboctave clef.
-
C major scale, "sopranino" clef. (this is one octave higher than the treble clef without an 8)
-
Simple quadruple drum pattern on a rock drum kit.
-
C major scale, guitar tablature and stave notation (suboctave is assumed).
-
Early forms of the G clef—the third combines the G and D clefs vertically
-
Vocal music can be contracted into two staves, using the treble and bass clefs.
See also
In Spanish: Clave (notación musical) para niños
