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Treble Clef

Definition

The treble clef is a musical symbol that indicates the pitch range of notes played by instruments such as the piano, violin, and flute. It is also known as the G clef because it wraps around the line representing the note G.

Analogy

Think of the treble clef as a fancy hat worn by high-pitched instruments. Just like how a hat can tell you something about a person's style or personality, the treble clef tells you that the music will be played in a higher range.

Related terms

Alto Clef: The alto clef is another musical symbol used to indicate pitch range. It is often used for viola and other mid-range instruments.

Bass Clef: The bass clef is yet another musical symbol that represents lower pitches. It is commonly used for instruments like bass guitar and tuba.

Ledger Lines: These are small lines added above or below the staff to extend its range beyond what can be notated on five lines. They help represent notes that fall outside of the staff's normal range.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.