Music theory definition
Clef
The symbol at the start of the staff that fixes which line is which note.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 3: Reading music. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- The staff and treble clef
Five lines, four spaces, and the clef that names them.
Related music terms
- Natural (♮)
- Cancels a sharp or flat, returning a note to its plain letter name.
- Accidental
- A sharp, flat, or natural written before a note. It lasts until the end of the bar.
- Staff
- Five horizontal lines on which notes are written. Higher on the staff means higher in pitch.
- Treble clef
- The G clef. Its curl wraps around the line for G above middle C. Used for higher notes.
- Bass clef
- The F clef. Its two dots surround the line for F below middle C. Used for lower notes.
- Grand staff
- A treble and a bass staff joined by a brace, as in piano music.