How to use
- Read the staves from the bottom up. Notes on lines and notes in spaces alternate.
- Tap any note to hear it and read its position, its name and where the same pitch sits in the other clef.
- Switch on mnemonic words to see Every Good Boy Does Fine and its partners under the notes.
- Turn the letters off, name a note aloud, then tap it to check. Press Print for a paper copy.
The notes on the lines and spaces
| Position | Treble clef | Bass clef | Mnemonic words (treble / bass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | E4 | G2 | Every / Good |
| Space 1 | F4 | A2 | F / All |
| Line 2 | G4 | B2 | Good / Boys |
| Space 2 | A4 | C3 | A / Cows |
| Line 3 | B4 | D3 | Boy / Do |
| Space 3 | C5 | E3 | C / Eat |
| Line 4 | D5 | F3 | Does / Fine |
| Space 4 | E5 | G3 | E / Grass |
| Line 5 | F5 | A3 | Fine / Always |
| Ledger line 1 below | C4 | E2 | |
| Ledger line 1 above | A5 | C4 | |
| Lowest note on this chart | C4 | C2 | |
| Highest note on this chart | C6 | C4 |
Mnemonics that work
For treble clef lines, E G B D F, the classic phrase is Every Good Boy Does Fine. The treble spaces spell the word FACE, bottom to top. For bass clef lines, G B D F A, use Good Boys Do Fine Always, and for the bass spaces, A C E G, use All Cows Eat Grass. Make up your own phrase if it sticks better, because a silly phrase that is yours beats a standard one you forget.
Ledger lines and middle C
Ledger lines are short extra lines that extend the staff. Middle C sits on the first ledger line below the treble staff and on the first ledger line above the bass staff. It is one pitch written two ways, which is why the two staves together are called the grand staff. This chart runs from C2 in the bass up to C6 in the treble, which covers the notes in most beginner piano music.
Landmark notes beat memorising every note
| Landmark | Where it is | Use it to find |
|---|---|---|
| Treble G (G4) | Second line from the bottom, where the clef curls around | Notes a step or a skip above and below it |
| Middle C (C4) | First ledger line below the treble staff, or above the bass staff | The boundary between the hands |
| Bass F (F3) | Fourth line from the bottom, between the two dots of the clef | Notes around the bass staff |
Which clef for which hand
Piano music usually puts the higher notes in treble clef, played mostly by the right hand, and the lower notes in bass clef, played mostly by the left hand. Notes can cross, though, so read the clef rather than assuming the hand.
Frequently asked questions
What are the treble clef line notes?
From the bottom line up, the five lines of the treble staff are E, G, B, D and F. The phrase Every Good Boy Does Fine gives you the letters.
What are the treble clef space notes?
From the bottom space up, the four spaces of the treble staff are F, A, C and E, which spell the word FACE.
What are the bass clef line and space notes?
The bass clef lines, bottom to top, are G, B, D, F and A. The spaces, bottom to top, are A, C, E and G.
What is a ledger line?
A ledger line is a short extra line drawn above or below the five-line staff to write notes that are too high or too low to fit. Each ledger line and each space beside it continues the same alternating pattern of line and space.
Where is middle C on the staff?
Middle C, C4, sits on the first ledger line below the treble staff and on the first ledger line above the bass staff. It is the same pitch in both places.
Why does piano music use two clefs?
A piano covers more than seven octaves. One staff would need so many ledger lines that notes would be hard to read, so music splits the range between treble clef for higher notes and bass clef for lower ones.