Clefs
The Treble Clef is employed to notate traditional tunes because its range covers the range of the instruments used. The other common clef is the bass clef; this may be found in the notation of accompaniment:
Staff
The letters A,B,C,D,E,F,G, are used to name the notes. These notes are written on a staff, which is made up of five lines and four spaces:
How they are organised on the staff is determined by the clef used, so, since we will be concentrating on the ‘Treble Clef’, let’s look at how the notes are written-in ascending order- in that clef:
The first line, E, symbolises the E above middle C on the piano. The last space, which is also E is an octave (eight notes) above. So, though these notes have the same name, they have a different ‘pitch’ (ie how high or low a note sounds).
It is useful to learn the names of the lines and spaces. E, G, B, D and F. Usually a phrase is used, for example; Every Good Boy Deserves Fun.
The names of the spaces are F A C and E. This is convenient because it spells the word ‘face’.
Ledger Lines
When notes which aren’t expressed on the staff are required we employ ‘ledger lines’ : these lines are simply extensions of the staff and allow the notes to continue their single step (A,B,C, etc.) progression.
Use a keyboard
It is also useful, particularly to get a visual perspective, to see where the notes in the treble clef fall on the piano keyboard
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