How the notes are arranged in the notation systemĪs we learned earlier, the treble and bass clefs are both indicators of tone ranges. It is easy to remember since the bass notes are on the left side on the keyboard. When you are playing piano, the notes after the bass clef are normally played with the left hand. In the lower part of the notation system, you find the bass clef (also called F clef). When you are playing piano, the notes after the treble clef are normally played with the right hand. The treble clef (also called G clef) indicates the tone range for which the following notes on and between the lines belongs to. In a musical notation system, there are also vertical lines that separate the staff into bars. Exactly which tones will be told soon, but we also need a reference and the references in this case are the clefs and key signatures (see below). You could say that the positions are representing different tones. In these cases shorter lines, called ledger lines, marks the positions. In addition, positions above and below the five lines can occur. Note symbols can be placed both on the lines and between them. The function is to hold positions for notes so the piano player know which tones to play on the instrument. These five lines are known as the Stave or the Staff. We will go through all the symbols and lines step by step and explain what they mean. This is the beginning of the Christmas song “Jingle Bells”, chosen as a simple example. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers.If you ask yourself what all symbols and the other stuff mean when you look at sheets with piano notes, you can find out by reading the following guide. Do you feel that you could come up with a better way to notate music rather then using the grand staff and/or similar clefs? Please comment on two of your classmates posts. Using the discussion tab above, write a response pertaining to the use of multiple clefs in music. Middle C can be written either in the Treble or Bass Clef (as shown below), and has the same pitch. Middle C is drawn using a leger line (which we talked about in the previous two lessons). The note that connects the treble and bass clefs together forming the grand staff is called MIDDLE C. Below is another exmple of how notes are comprised on the grand staff. the first line of the treble clef is E, and the first line of trhe bass cleff is G). The biggest question asked is why are the orders of the lines and spaces different between the clefs (ex. Many people find it difficult to read and understand. The design of grand staff has often been a source of question/frustration. As the left hand side of your brain controls the right side of your body, and vice versa, playing piano reqiures stimulation of both sides of the brain. When playing the piano, the right hand typically plays music written in the treble clef, and the left hand plays those notes in the bass clef.

A ledger line is used to connect the two staves (Middle C). The Bass and Treble Clefs are joined together by a brace to make the GRAND STAFF.

Trebel and bass clef