Clefs and Note Names

The treble clef is used for the piano with notes that are usually played with the right hand.

The notes in the spaces of the treble clef spell out F-A-C-E. Remember the rhyme: FACE in the SPACE

The notes on the lines of the treble clef are E-G-B-D-F. Remember these as “Every Good Boy Deserves Food”

The bass clef is used for the piano with notes that are usually played with the left hand.

The notes in the spaces of the bass clef staff are A-C-E-G. Remember these as “All Cows Eat Grass”.

The notes on the lines of the bass clef staff are G-B-D-F-A. Remember these as “Good Boys Deserve Food Always”.

Ledger Lines
Ledger lines are used to notate pitches below or above the regular lines and spaces of the staff. For example,
‘Middle C’, is located on a ledger line between the bass clef and treble clef.

Middle C - Treble Clef Middle C - Bass Clef

 Key Signatures
A key signature defines the key of a piece of music to be played in. In other words whether there are any flats or
sharps that are supposed to be played throughout the piece unless otherwise stated by ‘accidentals’. These will be
displayed on the stave after the clef sign and before the time signature.

F Major - Treble Clef G Major - Bass Clef

Time Signatures
Time signatures indicate how many beats are in each measure of a piece of music, as well as which note value is
counted as a beat. Time signatures are located at the beginning of the staff after the clef and key signature. The
number on the top denotes the amount of beats and the number on the bottom indicates the type of beats.

An example of time signature 4/4

Note and Rest Lengths

 Dynamics
Dynamics are used to indicate how loudly or quietly a piece of music is to be played. They are expressed in Italian
terms and abbreviated as follows:

- Pianissimo (very soft/quiet)

- Piano (soft/quiet)

- Mezzo Piano (moderately soft/quiet)

- Mezzo Forte (moderately loud)

- Forte (loud)

- Fortissimo (very loud)

- Crescendo (getting louder)

- Diminuendo (getting quieter)

Articulation
Articulation refers to specific and individual ways to play notes. These can relate to note lengths, volume, style
etc… A selection of these are as follows:

Staccato - Notes are played short and detached (bouncy)

Legato - Notes are to be play smoothly

Tenuto - Play for full length of note

Fermata (pause) - Hold/sustain the note for longer than its value

Tie - When tied together, two notes with the same pitch are played as a single note