Note Name Basics (All clefs: String Orchestra)

Note Name Basics (All clefs: String Orchestra)

by GRACE BERENS

​Congratulations!

​You're learning something new! Playing music is an excellent skill, and now you're ready for the next step: reading notes on the staff. This lesson will walk you through all of the things you need to know!

The Clefs:

• ​In music, we typically use three clefs: Treble, Alto, and Bass clef.

• String instruments are the only ones that use the Alto clef! ​

​The Treble clef...

• ​...is used mainly by the violins.

• ​The Harp and Piano also use it at the same time as the bass clef.

• You might also hear it called the "G" clef. Can you figure out why that is?

​The Alto clef...

• ​... is used mainly by the Violas.

• ​The Alto clef is sometimes called the "C" clef.

​The Bass clef...

• ​...is used by the Cellos and Basses.

• The Harp and Piano will also use it at the same time as the treble clef.

• ​The Bass clef is sometimes called the F clef.

Multiple Choice

How many clefs are there in orchestra?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

​When reading notes,

we look at whether they are settled in the middle of a line or in the space between lines. We refer to them as lines and spaces.

​The musical alphabet...

• ​reads just like the one you know!

• The musical alphabet only uses 7 letters, then starts over.

• A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B...

Multiple Choice

How many letters are in the musical alphabet?

• 26

• 9

• 13

• 7

Treble Clef Spaces

• ​On the treble clef, the lines read, from bottom to top: F, A, C, E

• ​The spaces spell FACE!

​Treble Clef Lines

• ​The treble clef lines are, from bottom to top: E, G, B, D, F

• ​We remember this with the phrase: Every Good Boy Does Fine

• The spiral on the treble clef should always point to the line of the note "G"

​Alto Clef Spaces

• ​The spaces on the Alto clef are, from top to bottom: F, D, B, G

• ​We can remember this using the phrase:

• Fancy Dogs Bring Gifts

​Alto Clef Lines

• ​The Alto clef lines from bottom to top are: F, A, C, E, G

• ​You can remember them by two ways: the notes spell "Face G", and the clef always points to C (the middle line).

​Bass Clef Spaces

• ​The spaces on the Bass clef are, from bottom to top: A, C, E G

• ​We can remember this using the phrase: All Cows Eat Grass

​Bass Clef Lines

• ​The lines on the Bass clef are: G, B, D, F, A

• ​We can remember this using the phrase: Good Burritos Don't Fall Apart

• ​The dots on the Bass clef should always be on either side of the note "F".

​

​Can you figure out this note? Make sure to read your clef!

Multiple Choice

What note is this?

• A

• B

• C

• D

What note is this?

​Check for your clef!

Multiple Choice

What note is this?

• E

• F

• G

• A

​What is this note?

​Check for your clef!

Multiple Choice

What is this note?

• E

• F

• G

• A

​What note is this?

​Check for your clef!

Multiple Choice

What note is this?

• A

• B

• C

• D

​To summarize...

• There are three clefs in orchestra: Treble, Alto, and Bass​

• Notes are read on lines and spaces, and each clef reads them differently.

• ​There are seven letters in the musical alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

• ​Review and practice until you have your clef memorized!