In this lesson, you will learn how to read notes on the musical staff. This “How To Read Piano Notes” lesson is perfect for the beginner or someone in search of a quick refresher.
The Staff
When it comes to reading piano notes (or sheet music), an important first step is to understand the musical staff. Music is written on a staff. A staff consists of five lines and four spaces. Here’s an example of a staff.
Do you see the five lines and four spaces? Great! The lines and spaces are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. The lines and spaces are counted from bottom to top. The lowest line is line 1, while the highest line is line 5. The lowest space is space 1, while the last one at the top is space 4.
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There are two clefs that you should know about. They are the treble clef and bass clef.
The Treble Clef
Firstly, we will learn about the treble clef. Take a look at the sign for the treble clef below. It is also known as the G clef. The second line of the treble clef is known as the G line. In fact, many people call the treble clef the G clef because part of it circles the G line.
What are the notes of the treble clef? Here’s a diagram showing notes on the treble clef.
You will notice that the lines are named E G B D F. One way to remember these letters is by the phrase, Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge. Some people prefer Every Good Boy Does Fine.
How about the spaces of the treble clef? The spaces spell the word, “face”. F-A-C-E.
Watch this lesson:
The Bass Clef
Next in our How to Read Piano Notes lesson, we will learn about the bass clef. Take a look at the bass clef below.
The bass clef is also called the F clef. (The fourth line of the bass clef is the F line.) One reason it is called the F clef is because of the two dots placed on either side of the F line. Once you know this line it is very easy to figure out the other notes of the bass clef. What are these notes?
Here is a diagram showing the notes of the bass clef.
The lines on the bass clef are named G-B-D-F-A. One way to remember these notes is by the sentence, Good Boys Do Fine Always. Another popular sentence is Good Boys Deserve Fudge Always.
Let’s now learn the letter names of the spaces of the bass clef. Take a look at the diagram showing the spaces of the bass clef.
They are A-C-E-G. One way to remember these piano note names is by the sentence, All Cars Eat Gas.
To recap: Treble clef line notes from bottom to top are E G B D F. Treble clef space notes from bottom to top are F A C E. Bass clef line notes from bottom to top are G B D F A. Bass clef space notes from bottom to top are A C E G. Between the treble clef and bass clef, we have the note, middle C.
Ledger Lines
Next, we take a look at ledger lines. Ledger lines (or leger lines) are short lines placed above and below the musical staff. They are used to notate pitches above or below the lines and spaces of the regular musical staff. Here are examples of ledger lines (on the treble and bass clef). Take a look at the diagrams below.
The Grand Staff
The grand staff is formed by combining the treble clef and bass clef with an added leger line, middle C. A perpendicular line and bracket (known as a brace) joins the two staves (plural for staff) together.
So how do you know what notes to play on the piano and with what hand to play them? Take a look at middle C in the diagram above. It is at the center of the bass and treble clef. Every note from middle C upwards including the notes on the treble clef is usually played with the right hand. Every note below middle C and on the bass clef is usually played with the left hand.
Identifying piano notes on the grand staff:
The following diagram shows you how the notes on your piano correspond to the bass and treble clef. Learn how to read piano notes with this piano keyboard diagram and grand staff.
For more lessons on how to read sheet music, go to other piano notes page.
Watch videos on how to read piano notes on the bass and treble clef.
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