Beginner guide
How to read the bass clef
Short answer
Learn three landmarks, then count. The bass clef’s two dots sit either side of the F line, the 4th line from the bottom: that’s the F below middle C. Low C sits in the 2nd space, and middle C on a short ledger line just above the staff. Read every other note as steps from these.
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Count up from low C
Your left little finger plays low C in C position. Each step up is the next line or space, and the next white key: D, E, F, then G.
From F up to middle C
F, G, A, B and C climb from the F line to middle C. A sits on the top line.
F and A both sit on lines, so F up to A is a skip: one white key, G, is missed out. A up to middle C is a skip too.
Not the same as the treble
The same line means a different note in each clef. The bottom line is G in the bass and E in the treble. So read bass notes from the bass landmarks, not from the treble ones.
Middle C belongs to both staves: just above the bass, or just below the treble. Both are the same key. See How to read the treble clef.
Your left hand reads it
The bass staff is for the left hand. TwoThree gives each hand its own turns, the left hand first, with the letters fading as you go.
In C position the left little finger is on low C and the thumb on G. More in Five-finger position.
Read your first bass notes
The lesson shows F, low C and middle C on the staff and on your keys, then waits while you find each one. No account needed. Your practice saves on this device. A free account keeps it safe and on your other devices.