How to Read Music

Lesson 8/52 | Study Time: 5 Min
Course: Keyboard
How to Read Music

How to Read Music

These five lines are called the staff or stave. Music notes are written in the spaces and on the lines of the staff.

Treble Clef

This symbol is called a treble clef.

Bass Clef

This symbol is called a bass clef.

Treble Staff

A staff with a treble clef written on it is called a treble staff.

Bass Staff

A staff with a bass clef written on it is called a bass staff.

High notes are written on the treble staff, and are usually played with your right hand. Low notes are written on the bass staff, and are usually played with your left hand.

The Grand Staff

When the treble and bass staves are joined together by a line and a bracket, they are called a grand staff. Keyboard music is written on the grand staff.

Music is divided into bars (sometimes called measures) by barlines. In this example there are two bars of music.

To remember the notes on the lines of the treble staff, say:

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