01-01-01 Staves and clefs Flashcards
What are the fundamental elements of music?
Pitch Duration Timbre (also known as tone colour) Dynamics/loudness Texture Frequency (speed of the physical vibration making the sound)
Explain a staff
A staff is five parallel lines and 4 spaces between those lines that are used to notate the pitch aspect of music.
How are staff lines numbered?
Numbers 1-5 starting from the bottom line.
How are note names written?
First 7 letters of the alphabet; A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Explain a clef
A clef indicates which note names go on which lines (and spaces between the lines) on the staff.
Where are clefs written?
At the start of the staff.
What does the treble clef indicate?
The second line from the bottom is designated for the note G.
What does the bass clef indicate?
Bass clef designates the fourth line from the bottom as the note F
Explain ledger lines
Ledger lines are small lines that extend the staff higher and lower. They can be used with any clef.
Explain the grand staff
A grand staff is a treble clef staff and bass clef staff connected with a brace. Piano music uses a grand staff along with other instruments such as harp or marimba.
What are C clefs?
All C clefs indicate where C is on the staff.
What does the alto clef indicate?
That the note C is placed on the third line from the bottom.
What does the Tenor clef indicate?
That the note C is centred on the fourth line from the bottom.
What instruments use the alto clef?
Used for the highest notes played by bass clef instruments such as cello, double bass, bassoon and trombone.
What instruments use tenor clef?
Used for the highest notes played by bass clef instruments such as bassoon and trombone.
