The staff
Written music is drawn on a staff: five lines and four spaces. A note on a higher line or space sounds higher. Lines and spaces are counted from the bottom up. A symbol at the start, the clef, says which notes the lines stand for.
Treble clef and bass clef
The treble clef (the G clef) curls around the second line, which is the G above middle C. It is used for higher notes: the right hand on piano, the melody, most instruments you hear singing. The bass clef (the F clef) has two dots either side of the fourth line, which is the F below middle C. It is used for lower notes: the left hand, bass, cello.
Ledger lines and middle C
When a note is too high or low for the five lines, short extra lines called ledger lines extend the staff. Middle C sits on the first ledger line below the treble staff, and on the first ledger line above the bass staff: one note, written either way. Joining the two staves with it is called the grand staff.
Sharps, flats and naturals
A sharp (♯) before a note raises it a half step; a flat (♭) lowers it. They affect that note until the end of the bar. A natural (♮) cancels one. These are called accidentals.
Key signatures
If a piece uses the same sharps or flats all the way through, they are written once at the start, next to the clef: the key signature. Sharps always appear in the order F C G D A E B and flats in the order B E A D G C F, in a fixed pattern on the staff. Count them to find the key (see the circle of fifths).
How to practise
- Warm-up: treble clef only. Say the mnemonic, then name notes and tap where they live.
- Working set: add the bass clef, ledger lines and simple key signatures.
- Heavy lift: accidentals, lots of ledger lines and every key signature.
Learn where notes live on the keyboard with the piano key trainer, and see the guided route in the training plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the staff in music?
Five horizontal lines with four spaces between them. Notes sit on the lines or in the spaces, and the higher a note is on the staff, the higher it sounds.
What is the difference between treble clef and bass clef?
The clef fixes which notes the lines mean. The treble clef (or G clef) curls around the G above middle C and is used for higher notes. The bass clef (or F clef) has two dots around the F below middle C and is used for lower notes.
How do I remember the notes on the staff?
Use a mnemonic. Treble lines: Every Good Boy Does Fine (E G B D F). Treble spaces spell FACE. Bass lines: Good Boys Do Fine Always (G B D F A). Bass spaces: All Cows Eat Grass (A C E G).
What are ledger lines?
Short extra lines drawn above or below the staff so that notes can go higher or lower than the five lines allow. Middle C sits on the first ledger line below the treble staff, and on the first ledger line above the bass staff.
What do sharps and flats look like on the staff?
A sharp (♯) raises a note by a half step and a flat (♭) lowers it. They are written in front of the note, and last until the end of the bar. A natural sign (♮) cancels one.
What is a key signature?
The sharps or flats written at the start of each line, right after the clef. They tell you which notes are raised or lowered throughout the piece, so the music does not need an accidental on each one.
Where is middle C on the staff?
On a short ledger line between the two staves: one ledger line below the treble clef, or one above the bass clef. It is the same key on the piano either way.