Music Theory 1 - Staves, Clefs, Lines, & Spaces

The Musical Staff

A series of 5 lines and 4 spaces in which music rhythm and pitch is notated upon.

The Musical Alphabet

The musical alphabet consists of the first seven letters of the English Alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) repeating in an infinite loop.

Clef

A symbol that gives a reference point as to which notes are placed where on the musical staff.

Treble Clef (G Clef)

The most common clef in music that encircles the “G Line” to orient the notation of pitches on the musical staff (The “High” Clef)

Treble Clef Lines

The Treble Clef orients the staff so each of the lines contain the the notes E, G, B, D, and F. A mnemonic to remember these notes is “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”

Treble Clef Spaces

The Treble Clef orients the staff so each of the spaces contain the notes F, A, C, and E. This is commonly remembered with the phrase “Face for the Space.”

Bass Clef (F Clef)

The bass clef is another common clef in music. The bass clef marks the “F Line” on the musical staff as a reference point to orient the notation of pitches. (The “Low” Clef)

Bass Clef Lines

The Bass Clef orients the staff so each of the lines contain the the notes G, B, D, F, and A. A mnemonic to remember these notes is “Good Boys Do Fine Always.”

Bass Clef Spaces

The Bass Clef orients the staff so each of the spaces contain the notes A, C, E, and G. This is commonly remembered with the mnemonic “All Cows Eat Grass.”

Alto Clef (C Clef)

A less common clef in music that marks the “C Line” to orient the notation of pitches on the musical staff

Alto Clef Lines

The Alto Clef orients the staff so each of the lines contain the the notes F, A, C, E, and G. A mnemonic to remember these notes is “Frogs And Cats Eat Grasshoppers.”

Alto Clef Spaces

The Alto Clef orients the staff so each of the spaces contain the notes G, B, D, and F. This is commonly remembered with the mnemonic “Great Big Dragons Fly.”

Tenor Clef

An even less common clef in music that marks the “C Line” to orient the notation of pitches on the musical staff

Tenor Clef Lines

The Tenor Clef orients the staff so each of the lines contain the the notes D, F, A, C, and E. A mnemonic to remember these notes is “Dodge Fords and Chevs Everywhere.”

Tenor Clef Spaces

The Tenor Clef orients the staff so each of the spaces contain the notes E, G, B, and D. This is commonly remembered with the mnemonic “Ethanol Gas Breaks Down.”