clef

Everyday

A sign at the start of a line of written music that shows how high or low the notes are: the treble clef for higher notes and the bass clef for lower ones. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons the treble clef (curly, like a fancy G) is used for recorder, violin and right hand on the piano; the bass clef for low instruments and the left hand. Phrases: «treble clef», «bass clef», «G clef», «F clef».

Examples

• Draw a treble clef at the start of the stave. tree →
• The bass clef is used for the cello and the tuba. tree →
• Piano music has a treble clef on top and a bass clef underneath. tree →
• The treble clef curls round the line for G. tree →
• In the bass clef, the notes have different names on the same lines. tree →

Note

Countable: clefs. Say «clef» like «cleff». In French «clef» means «key». «Bass» clef sounds like «base», not like the fish «bass».