Clefs

There are 7 notes in the musical alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

Composers write music on the grand staff, which is made up of 5 lines and 4 spaces. Clefs tell us which notes are which.

Instructions: Watch the videos below, then click here for a game based on what you learned!

Treble Clef

Small instruments that play high notes like the violin, flute, oboe, clarinet, and trumpet use the treble clef.

To help us remember the notes on the treble clef, we use the phrase Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge for the lines and the word FACE for the spaces.

Watch the video for an explanation by Columbus Symphony Violinist Joyce Fishman.

Bass Clef

Big instruments that play low notes like the cello, bass, bassoon, trombone, and tuba use the bass clef.

To help us remember the notes on the bass clef, we use the phrase Good Boys Do Fine Always for the lines and the phrase All Cows Eat Grass for the spaces.

Watch the video for an explanation by Columbus Symphony Bassist Russell Gill.

Alto Clef

The alto clef is the most rare clef.

Medium-sized instruments that play notes in the middle range like the viola use the alto clef.

To help us remember the notes on the alto clef, we use the phrase Fat Aardvarks Can’t Eat Goats for the lines and the phrase Great Big Dogs Fight for the spaces.

Watch the video for an explanation by Columbus Symphony Violist Mary Farrington.