The Treble Clef
The treble clef is also known as the G clef and looks like this:
When used on a modern stave it curls around the 2nd line showing that note to be G.
This is how the treble (or G) clef looks on the stave.
The notes in the treble staff follow the same pattern as other notes on the music staff:E - G - B - D - F - A - C. Click here for more information on this order of notes which, once learned, tells you both the lines and the spaces in the treble staff, and in the bass staff as well! In fact, it is well worth learning to read the entire grand staff in addition to the treble staff if you are learning to read music!
How To Draw The Treble Clef
Here is a short video to help you learn how to draw the treble or G Clef.
The Lines of the Treble Staff
Notes on the treble staff may be on a line or in a space. Click here for more information and examples of this.
The notes on the lines of the treble staff follow the pattern above E - G - B - D - F
Middle C
Middle C is on a line below the treble staff. It is probably the most recognisable note in all of music and is the first note most people learn when they start on the piano or keyboard. The line through the note is part
of the 'invisible' line which runs between the treble and bass staves
when using the Grand Staff. Click here to read more about the invisible Middle C line
The Spaces in the Treble Clef
The notes in the spaces of the treble staff follow the pattern above D - F - A - C - E - G. You can see that the notes in the middle spaces actually spell F A C E with the D below the staff and G above the staff either side. These notes either side of F-A-C-E are easy to remember because D is Down below the lines and for G you have to Go above the lines.
Test yourself
Test your knowledge with a free online music theory quiz! Click here to take a test on the notes in the treble staff. Tip:
If you know the bottom line and the bottom space of the staff, you can
always work out the rest of the notes by going up using the pattern
above!
A Clear Path To Learning Music Theory
For more help check out my new theory book Essential Music Theory: Learn To Read And Appreciate Music Vol. 1 available for iPad and Mac OS.
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