Lesson 3: 譜號(The clefs)

In lesson 2, we learnt that the grand staff consists of the combination of treble clef and bass clef. They are the most common clefs used or seen in music. Whenever we want to write notes that are outside the 5 lines of the treble or bass clef, we have to add extra ledger lines to "contain" the notes. The further away the note is to the 5 lines, the more ledger lines you will need to write. (Note: Ledger lines are called "leger lines" in U.S.)

The treble clef is also known as the "G clef" because when you write it, it starts at the line where G above the Middle C is.

Similarly, the bass clef is also known as the "F clef", because it starts at the line where F below the Middle C is.

Optional: Although the playing the piano only requires you to know these two clefs, it is important to know that there exists other clefs that are commonly used in other instruments as well.

For example, the clef shown below is known as the "alto clef" (中音譜號). The line where the center of the alto clef lies on is where Middle C is. It is used most commonly for instruments where their range of sounds are near the Middle C, such as the viola (中提琴).

The clef shown below is the "neutral clef", and it is is only used in instruments without any specific pitch, such as some of the percussion instruments.