Musical Notation - Clefs, Staff

Musical Notation - Clefs, Staff

by Shawna Stewartson-Bennett

Objectives​

​At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. ​identify the different clefs

2. ​label and identify notes on the staff using the clef.

3. ​compose a simple 4 4 musical piece on the treble and bass clefs.

Activity: Story time

​Two boys decide to go wandering in the woods. The first boy however arrives too early and decides to go ahead without the second boy.

Poll

As the first boy, what could you do to ensure the second boy will be able to find you?

• Mark trees with a rock

• Scream really really loudly

• leave a trail of bread crumbs 

• Do nothing and hope for the best

​Why did you choose the option you chose?

​A clef is a sign at the beginning of a staff of music which makes it possible for the player to work out what the notes are. The word “clef” is a French word meaning “key”.

​Clef

What is the purpose of a Clef?

​The Purpose of a Clef

​Clefs help us to find the right pitch, or 'key'.

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A clef is used as a reference point for a particular pitch or set of pitches.

​They allow us to start, and read music in the correct way so that we don't get confused.

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​Imagine trying to follow someone in a forest full of identical trees.

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​Have a reference point from the start from and follow would be very important.

​Clefs and Pitches

​When playing an instrument, notes can be clearly identified based on their pitch. This can be not only be heard but can be represented visually. Let's examine the frequency spectrum of a few instruments:

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​Clefs and Pitches

​Clefs allow how to write music based on these pitches, like how we use the alphabet to write words in our books.

​Clefs

​In modern music, only four clefs are used regularly: treble clef, bass clef, alto clef, and tenor clef. For this school year, we will only be focusing on the Treble and Bass Clefs.

​The Treble Clef

​The treble clef is also called the “G clef” because the clef's inner find wraps around the note 'G'

​How to draw the G Clef

​Let's which this video below. Follow while we

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIpAZySxYs

​Treble Clef

​The spaces are labeled FACE starting with the first space at the bottom. The lines are labeled EGBDF (Every Good Boy Does Fine) starting at the bottom line and going to the top line.

Multiple Choice

What letter notes are the LINES of the treble clef on the staff?

• EGBCF

• EGBDF

• FACE

• AGBDF

Multiple Choice

What letter notes are the SPACES of the treble clef on the staff?

• FADE

• ACGE

• FACE

• ACEG

​Activity

​In the next slide, we will play the notes of the G Clef on the piano.

​Class Activity: Composing in the G Clef

​Compose a 4 4 time signature piece on music using the following notes:

1. A G F D in the first bar

2. ​C A B G in the second bar

3. ​G B F G in the third bar

4. ​and E C D A in the fourth bar

​Bass Clef

​The bass clef is also called an F clef because it wraps around the highest F note

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​The spaces are labeled ACEG (All Cows Eat Grass). The lines are labeled GBDFA (Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always) starting at the bottom line and going up to the top line.

Multiple Choice

What letter notes are the LINES of the bass clef on the staff?

• GBAFA

• GBCFA

• ACGE

• GBDFA

Multiple Choice

What letter notes are the SPACES of the BASS clef on the staff?

• FADE

• ACGE

• FACE

• ACEG

​Activity

​In the next slide, we will play the notes of the F Clef on the piano.

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​What is the difference between the treble clef and bass clef?

​Class Activity: Composing in the F Clef

​Compose a 4 4 time signature piece on music using the following notes:

1. A G F D in the first bar

2. ​C A B G in the second bar

3. ​G B F G in the third bar

4. ​and E C D A in the fourth bar

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​Do you see how this composition differs from the on done on the G clef?

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​The Grand Staff

​The grand staff is a combination of two staves put together, usually a treble clef and a bass clef. This combination clef is used for a variety of instruments, including piano, organ, marimba, harp, and more.

How are the G Clef and F Clef connected on the grand staff?

​The top clefs are connected by what is called the "middle C"

Multiple Choice

Which Clef has notes with higher pitches?

• G Clef

• F Clef

Multiple Choice

What is the letter name of the 2nd line of the treble clef staff?

• E

• F

• G

• C

Multiple Choice

With the bass clef, which line number is between the two dots?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

Multiple Choice

What’s the name of this pitch?

• E

• D

• S

• F

Multiple Choice

What is this clef called?

• Tenor Clef

• D Clef

• Soprano Clef

• Alto Clef

​BYE!