Clef notes
A clef tells you which note each line and space of the staff stands for. Pick a clef below for a free printable chart that names every note, the mnemonics that make them easy to remember, and a note-naming quiz.
Treble and bass clef together
Piano and other keyboard music uses the treble and bass clefs together on a grand staff. The right hand usually reads the treble clef and the left hand reads the bass clef. Middle C sits between the two — just below the treble staff and just above the bass staff.
Why clefs exist
Different instruments and voices cover very different pitch ranges. Clefs let each of them be written on the same five-line staff without piling up ledger lines, by sliding the note names up or down. That is why the alto and tenor C clefs exist — they keep violas and low brass comfortably on the staff.
Clef notes — frequently asked questions
What is a clef?
A clef is the symbol at the start of a staff that fixes which pitch each line and space represents. The same five lines mean different notes under a treble, bass, alto or tenor clef.
What are the four main clefs?
The treble (G) clef, the bass (F) clef, and the alto and tenor C clefs. Treble and bass are by far the most common.
How do I remember the notes on a staff?
Each clef has a mnemonic. Treble lines are “Every Good Boy Does Fine” (E G B D F) and the spaces spell FACE; bass lines are “Good Boys Do Fine Always” (G B D F A) and spaces are “All Cows Eat Grass”.
Are the clef note charts free?
Yes — every chart is free to print or download as a PDF or PNG, with no account needed.
Practice on blank paper
Each clef page has a short quiz that shows a note and asks you to name it, with an option to add ledger lines. Once you know the notes, follow the full guide to reading sheet music, then write them out on blank staff paper or build a custom sheet with the blank music paper generator.