The tenor clef is used by instruments like the cello, bassoon and trombone when they are playing in their upper ranges. This moves the location of middle C up one line from its position in alto clef. When the C-clef is placed on the fourth line of the staff, it is called the tenor clef. The alto clef is used most commonly by the viola. When the C-clef is placed on the third line of the staff, it is called the alto clef. Notes in the bass clef are most often played with a pianist’s left hand. The bass clef is most often used by instruments like the cello, double bass, bassoon, trombone and tuba. The fourth line of the staff passes between the two dots, indicating the F below middle C, or F3. Pianists most often use their right hands to play notes on the treble clef. The treble clef is most often used by instruments like the violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and French horn. The note that sits on the second line of the staff in treble clef is the G above middle C, or G4. The treble clef is also known as the G-clef because the second line of the staff passes through the curl of the clef. (The plural for staff is staves.)Ī clef is a type of symbol that indicates the musical pitch of written notes.

The clef determines which musical pitch corresponds to a particular line or space. The five lines and four spaces correspond to musical pitches.

The staff is the foundation of music notation.

Eighth rest alt code