The first thing that you need to figure out is if you are using the Treble Clef, the Bass Clef or both (Grand Staff). If you don’t know how to tell take a step back and go to the learn how to read music blog post and start there.
As a starting point on your instrument you should find “middle C”. That is the note C that corresponds as the C note between the Treble and Bass Clef.
You can check out middle C in the picture below…
You will notice that the only notes that are used are A-B-C-D-E-F-G. This is our musical alphabet. There is no H, I or J and so on…
To learn the notes of the staff you are going to need a gnomonic devise (a sentence where each word starts with the corresponding note) to make it easier. Each clef has its own device and they will be discussed in each section.
Treble Clef
Its job is to tell you where the note G above Middle C is. Do you see the swirl around the second line of the staff? That note is G above Middle C. It is also known as the G- Clef.
In the Treble cleft the lines are: Every Good Boy Does Fine.
The E note is the first line on the bottom of the staff; G is the second from the bottom and so on up the staff.
The Treble Cleft spaces spell F-A-C-E.
The F note is the first space at the bottom of the staff. It is between the E and the G.
You will notice everything is in alphabetical order.
Memorize these devices.
Instruments that use the Treble Clef
Guitar, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet (in the French system, in the German system they read bass clef), Oboe, Bassoon (when it's really high), Trumpet, French horn, Violin, Piano (uses the grand staff), Saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone), various tuned percussion instruments like the glockenspiel, xylophone, marimba and vibraphone and Harp
Bass Clef
Also known as the F-Clef, its job is to tell the reader where the F below middle C is. Can you start to see the importance of Middle C?
In the Bass Clef the lines are: Good Boys Do Fine Always.
The Bass Clef spaces are: All Cows Eat Grass
Memorize these devices and learn to recall them quickly. First do this without your instrument and then with your instrument but without any rhythm. This way you are breaking up your learning into smaller chunks.
Instruments that use the Bass Clef
Cello, double bass, bass guitar, bassoon, contrabassoon, trombone, euphonium and tuba, keyboard instruments like the piano, organ, and harpsichord (the upper part is usually written in treble clef), the lowest notes for horns and the baritone and bass voices.
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