Bass Clef

Instruments that are lower in pitch, such as trombone, tuba and male singers for example read music written on the bass clef.
The bass clef is feeling low today...he got in treble!

Lesson Objectives

The learner will be able to understand the function of the bass clef.

The learner will be able to identify note names and lengths of pitches on the bass clef including ledger lines above and below the staff.

Bass Clef

The Bass Clef is used for LOW sounds.

When the Bass Clef is turned sideways, it looks like a sad face.

How to draw a Bass Clef

1. Place a dot on the fourth space line.

2. Starting from the left side of your dot, draw half of a heart (or backwards C) that extends from the top line of the staff to the bottom.

3. Place two dots, one on either side of the fourth line (one on top space, one on 3rd space).

Note: The Bass Clef is also called the "F Clef". It is named the F Clef because of the position of the two dots that surround the fourth line (of the F line) of the staff.

Bass Clef Notes

Spaces of the Bass Clef

All Cows Eat Grass

Lines of the Bass Clef

Good Boys Do Fine Always

DISCUSSION: COME UP WITH YOUR OWN MNEMONIC DEVICE BASS CLEF

Now is your own opportunity to come up with your own mnemonic device(saying or rhyme) to remember the lines and spaces. Using the discussion tab at the top, add an example for both the lines and the spaces of the bass clef!

Bass Clef Ledger Lines

Do you remember what ledger lines are from the last lesson? Here is a little refresher if you need it! A ledger line is a small line that is used to extend the upper and lower ranges of the staff. The following shows examples of notes that can be written above and below the staff using ledger lines in bass clef.