Clef

A clef (originally from French, meaning: key) determines which pitches are notated on a staff.

Commonly used clefs

• The G clef (sometimes also called violin- or treble clef) is used for most woodwind instruments, violin and the middle-high register in general. Middle C is notated on one ledger line below the staff.
• The F clef (also called bass clef) is used for low instruments, such as cello, double bass, bassoon and trombone, and the low register in general. Middle C is notated on one ledger line above the staff.
• The C clef can occur on the third or fourth line:
  • On the third line it is called alto clef and used for viola and alto-trombone exclusively.
  • On the fourth line it is called tenor clef and used for the middle-high register of low instruments, such as the cello, double bass and trombone.
  • In both cases, middle C is notated on the (middle) line where the clef is put.

Used clef positions

In the above picture all used clef positions are listed:

1. G-clef as it is used today in notation. It is also employed for some transposing instruments, in which case the "middle C" will sound as the instrument's fundamental tone, and can be B♭, E♭, D, E, F, G or A.
2. Modern tenor-clef, the 8 denoting transposition an octave down: the notation is an octave higher than the actual sound.
3. Rarely used clef for piccolo: the notation is an octave lower than the actual sound.
4. Historical clef, no longer in use.
5. F-clef as it is used today. It is also employed in this form for double bass, even though clef nr. 6 would technically be the proper one in this case.
6. Transposing F-clef, sometimes used for double bass or bass tuba, see also clef nr. 5.
7. Rarely used clef.
8. Historical clef, no longer in use. See also clef nr. 13.
9. Soprano clef, historically used for vocal parts.
10. Mezzo-soprano clef, historically used for vocal parts.
11. Alto clef, historically used for vocal parts, but still in use today for viola and alto-trombone.
12. Tenor clef, historically used for vocal parts, but still in use today for cello, double bass, trombone and bassoon.
13. Barytone clef, historically used for vocal parts. See also clef nr. 8.
14. Percussion clef; the position of the noteheads is used to denote specific instruments.
15. Another percussion clef; the position of the noteheads is used to denote specific instruments.

See also

• Outline of basic music theory