CLEFS/LETTER NAMES OF LINES AND SPACES (TREBLE AND BASS STAFF)
CONTENT
- Definition of Clef
- Functions of Clef
- Kinds of Clef
- Treble Staff or Stave
- Bass or F Clef (pronounced 'base' )
- Bass Staff or Stave
- Musical Terms
Definition of Clef
Clef is a French word, meaning Key.
Clef is defined as a symbol placed at the commencement [beginning] of a stave [staff] which indicates the pitch of a musical note and also fixes the letter names of the lines and spaces.
Functions of Clef
(i) To indicate the pitch of a musical note.
(ii) To fix the letter names of the lines and spaces.
Kinds of Clef
At this level, we shall consider the two major clefs which are also in common use.
(i) Treble or G clef.
(ii) Bass or F clef.
The letter names lines and spaces are taken from the seven letters of the alphabets; A B C D E F G called musical alphabets.
Treble or G Clef
This clef starts from the second line of the stave which is called G, and curls round it.
When G clef is placed on a stave or staff, the stave automatically becomes a Treble Stave. Treble stave consist of five parallel lines and four spaces as shown below.
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