For most low-pitched music, (where most of it is lower than middle C), we use the bass clef.

The bass clef looks like this:

The two dots of the bass clef are placed either side of the line where we can find the note F, so it's also known as the F clef.

Play me!

This is the first F below middle C.

Note Names

We can work out the other notes just like we did with the treble clef. Here are the notes on the lines:

Play me!

And here are the notes in the spaces:

Play me!

The note above B is middle C. It's useful to be able to write middle C in both clefs. We use a small line for it to sit on, just like we did in the treble clef:

Remember that in the treble clef, middle C is at the bottom of the staff:

Exercises for this Lesson >>>