Learn the Names of Notes and Clefs

In modern, standardized music, there are seven note names which correspond with the first seven letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

If you play or sing the notes in order, beginning with A, you would restart with "A" after "G," only at a higher pitch. For example: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C and so on. Eight notes in a row (in this case, from "A" to "A") are called an octave.

Since notes can range in tone from a deep bass (very low) to a high soprano, they're separated in written music by two different clefs: treble and bass.

As a general rule, notes that follow a treble clef range from mid-level up to very high in tone. Notes that follow a bass clef range from mid-level down to the lowest of tones.

NOTE: There is also a "C" clef, which is sometimes used for cello, tenor trombone, bassoon and viola. However, we'll only be discussing the treble and bass clefs.