STAFF: Definition and reading

The staff is the basis of written music. It is what the notes are presented on. It consists of 5 lines with four spaces between them. The staff on the other hand is a set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represents a different musical pitch

A simple, unadorned staff is shown below:

Treble Clef:

The treble staff:  Since it curls around the G line, it is also called a G clef. The treble staff begins with the first line as E. Each successive space and line is the next letter in the musical alphabet. The staff ends with the last line as an F. One of the most common phrases to remember the names of the lines is: Every Good Boy Does Fine. To remember the spaces, just remember that they spell FACE starting from the bottom.

Bass Clef:

This is the bass (pronounced ‘base’ ) staff. The bass clef, also known as the F clef because it locates the line known as “F” on the far left. The bass clef uses the same musical alphabet as

treble, but the letters start in different places. Instead of an E, the bottom line is a G, and the letters proceed logically from there. One of the most common phrases to remember the names of the lines is: (Good Boys Does Fine Always). The lines on the bass clef, from bottom to top are: G, B, D, F, A  and the spaces are A, C ,E, G (All Cows Eat Grass).

EVALUATION

1. What is staff?
2. What are the differences between the Treble and Bass clef?
3. What are the letter names of the treble clef?

ASSIGNMENT

1. Draw the music staff
2. Draw the treble clef with the names of lines and spaces.
3. What are the letter names of the bass clef?