Six of these are redundant because they result in an identical assignment of the notes to the lines (and spaces)-for example, a G-clef on the third line yields the same note placement as a C-clef on the bottom line. With five lines on the staff and three clefs, there are fifteen possibilities for clef placement. Theoretically, any clef may be placed on any line. Two common mnemonics for learning the clef lines are: C-clef defines middle C whereas treble clef and bass clef define the note at the interval of a fifth above middle C and below middle C, respectively. For example, even the low saxophones read in treble clef.Ī symmetry exists surrounding middle C regarding the F-, C- and G-clefs. Transposing instruments can be an exception to this-the same clef is generally used for all instruments in a family, regardless of their sounding pitch. To this end, the G-clef is used for high parts, the C-clef for middle parts, and the F-clef for low parts. Using different clefs for different instruments and voices allows each part to be written comfortably on a staff with a minimum of ledger lines. The use of different clefs makes it possible to write music for all instruments and voices, regardless of differences in range. A clef may be placed on a space instead of a line, but this is rare.

The C-clef is mostly encountered as alto clef (placing middle C on the third line) or tenor clef (middle C on the fourth line). In modern music notation, the G-clef is most frequently seen as treble clef (placing G 4 on the second line of the staff), and the F-clef as bass clef (placing F 3 on the fourth line). Placing these clefs on a line fixes a reference note to that line-an F-clef fixes the F below middle C, a C-clef fixes middle C, and a G-clef fixes the G above middle C. The three clef symbols used in modern music notation are the G-clef, F-clef, and C-clef. Placing a clef on a staff assigns a particular pitch to one of the five lines, which defines the pitches on the remaining lines and spaces. For other uses of 'Cle', see Cle (disambiguation).ĭiagram of treble, alto and bass clefs with identical-sounding musical notes aligned vertically Middle C represented on (from left to right) treble, alto, tenor and bass clefs Three clefs aligned to middle CĪ clef (from French: clef 'key') is a musical symbol used to indicate which notes are represented by the lines and spaces on a musical staff.

Middle c on treble clef