clef

Pitch indicator symbol

A clef is a symbol placed at the beginning of a musical staff to indicate which pitches the lines and spaces represent.

The treble clef (G clef) and bass clef (F clef) are most common; together they form the grand staff used for piano music.

Other clefs exist for specific instruments and vocal ranges.

She learned to read both clefs.

notation

staff

Organization's workers collectively

  • staveBarrel's wooden rib
  • linesStrokes connecting two points
  • spacesGaps or open areas

score · sight-reading · transcription · manuscript · arrangement · time-signature · accidental · notehead · measure · bar

treble

violin

Bowed string instrument

melody · right-hand · mandolin · recorder · oboe · clarinet

bass

cello

Deep-voiced bowed instrument

left-hand · contrabass · euphonium · trombone · baritone

alto

viola

Midrange bowed instrument

percussion

drum

Struck percussion cylinder

tom

symbol

glyph

Visual form of character

decorative · calligraphy · emblem · jewelry · pendant · typography

tablature

fretboard

Stringed instrument's neck face

Categories
Opposites
musical notation function

clefnote

Short written record

rest · time signature · key signature · tempo marking · accidental

specificity of pitch indication

clefspoken word

Poetry delivered aloud

noise · atonal music

Phrases
Family

clefs, bass clef, treble clef, C-clef

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G