Beginner guide
How to read the treble clef
Short answer
Learn two landmarks, then count. The treble clef curls round the G line, the 2nd line from the bottom: that’s the G above middle C. Middle C sits on a short ledger line just below the staff. Read every other note as steps up or down from one of them.
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Lines and spaces
A note sits on a line or in the space between two lines. Going up, they take turns: line, space, line. Each step up the staff is the next white key up.
Count from a landmark
- Find the nearest landmark: middle C, G or treble C.
- Count the lines and spaces from it to the note, up or down.
- Move the same number of white keys from the landmark key.
From the G line, A is the next space, B the middle line, C the 3rd space and D the 4th line.
Your right hand reads it
The treble staff is for the right hand. In C position the right thumb is on middle C, and fingers 2 to 5 reach up to G: the first five notes you read. More in Five-finger position.
The left hand reads the bass staff below it. See How to read the bass clef.
How TwoThree teaches it
Each landmark is shown on the staff and on the keys at the same time. Letter names help at first, then fade: you find G or middle C, then count.
Letters are never painted on the noteheads, so you learn to read the staff, not the letters.
Read your first treble notes
The lesson shows G and middle C on the staff and on your keys, then waits while you find them. No account needed. Your practice saves on this device. A free account keeps it safe and on your other devices.