trebleclef

Treble clef, also called the G clef, is one of the most common clefs in Western music notation. It designates the second line of the staff as the note G above middle C, or G4, and thus places higher-pitched notes on the upper lines and spaces of the staff. The five-line staff uses the notes on the lines from bottom to top as E, G, B, D, F, and the spaces as F, A, C, E.

The treble clef has its origins in the medieval period, evolving from a stylized form of the letter G. Its distinctive curl encircles the second line, signaling that line as G. This clef provides a familiar framework for reading a wide range of pitches and is widely used in vocal and instrumental notation.

Usage and transposition: The treble clef is standard for higher voices such as soprano and mezzo-soprano, and for many instruments including violin, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, and guitar. In guitar notation, the treble clef is used with the sounding pitch transposed down one octave, so written notes sound an octave lower. In vocal music, tenor parts are sometimes written in treble clef with an 8 below the staff, indicating that the written notes sound one octave lower. Less commonly, the treble clef may appear with octave indicators (8va, 8vb) to simplify ranges.

See also: G clef; musical notation; clefs.