Chapter 7: The Map of Lines

To write down pitch, we need a vertical ladder. The higher you climb the ladder, the higher the note sounds.

The musical “ladder” is called the Staff. It consists of 5 horizontal lines and the 4 spaces between them.

Old engraved illustration of Staff, Clef, and Notes to Play the Piano

Rule: We count from the bottom up. The bottom line is Line 1; the top line is Line 5.
Placement: A note can sit directly on a line (the line goes through the note head) or in a space.

This is the most famous symbol in music. It is used for High Pitch instruments (Guitar, Violin, Flute, Trumpet, and the Right Hand of the piano).

The Shape: The big spiral circles around the second line from the bottom. This tells us that line is G.
The Lines (Bottom to Top):E – G – B – D – F
- Mnemonic: Every Good Boy Does Fine.
The Spaces (Bottom to Top):F – A – C – E
- Mnemonic: Spelling the word FACE.

This clef is used for Low Pitch instruments (Bass Guitar, Cello, Tuba, and the Left Hand of the piano).

The Shape: It looks like a curved ear with two dots. The two dots surround the 4th line. This tells us that line is F.
The Lines (Bottom to Top):G – B – D – F – A
- Mnemonic: Good Boys Do Fine Always.
The Spaces (Bottom to Top):A – C – E – G
- Mnemonic: All Cows Eat Grass.

Piano players read both clefs at the same time. We join them together with a brace to create the Grand Staff.

Middle C on a piano keyboard, learning aid and cheat sheet

The Connector: The note that connects the two clefs is Middle C.
It sits on a “Ledger Line” (a tiny temporary line) exactly halfway between the Treble and Bass staves.