What is Clef?
A '''clef''' is a sign at the beginning of a [[staff (music)|staff]] of music which makes it possible for the player to work out what the notes are. The word “clef” is a [[French language|French]] word meaning “key”. The original Latin word is “clavis”. It is the “key” to understanding which notes should be played. The staff (or “stave”) consists of five lines across the page. The notes are placed on these lines and in these spaces. The staff is only large enough to cover one and a half [[octave]]s of music (a bit more with [[leger line|ledger lines]]). Therefore, different clefs are used for [[high and low|high]] music and for low music. [[Image:Clefs_chord.png|thumb|400px|This example shows an A minor chord written with five different clefs. Each chord is sounding at exactly the same pitch]] == Treble clef == [[Image:Treble clef.png|30px|right]] The treble clef is drawn by starting with a [[circle]] in the middle, then going up, round and straight down with a hook at the end. The second line of the staff (counting from the bottom) goes through the middle of the treble clef’s circle. A note on this line is a G. This is why the treble clef is called a “G clef”. The treble clef is used for high notes. The notes higher than [[Middle C]] can be written in the treble clef. In [[piano]] music the [[Position|right]] [[hand]] is usually written in the treble clef. Music for instruments such as the [[violin]], [[flute]], [[oboe]], [[recorder]], [[trumpet]] and high singing [[voice]] are always written in the treble clef. == Alto clef (Viola clef) == [[Image:Alto clef.svg|30px|right]] The alto clef is an example of a “C clef”. The middle of a C clef points to Middle C. In the alto clef Middle C is on the third line of the staff. [[Viola]] music is written in this clef, which is why it is also called the “viola clef”. Alto trombone players also need to be able to read the alto clef. == Tenor clef == [[Image:Tenor clef.svg|30px|right]] The tenor clef is another C clef. Middle C is on the fourth line u