Reading Music on the Bass

Now we will learn how to identify the notes on the Bass Clef.

The music alphabet is similar to the normal alphabet except for a few key differences:

First, highest letter in the music alphabet is G.
Now we will learn how to identify the notes on the Bass Clef.

The music alphabet is similar to the normal alphabet except for a few key differences:

First, highest letter in the music alphabet is G.

A B C D E F G
Second, after G the letters start over again with A.

A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A

Third, C is usually considered the first letter.

C D E F G A B C

Even though we think of C as being the first letter, the bass clef starts with G.

To memorize the lines we can use the following sentence:

Great Big Ducks Fly Away



To memorize the spaces we can use the sentence:

All Cows Eat Grass

Lastly, the note B sits on top of the staff.

We can identify it by naming the line it sits on using Great Big Ducks Fly Away.

Then we go up one letter in the alphabet.

Note: This trick can also be used to memorize the spaces.

Whew! That was a lot of information. Don’t worry, we will review it periodically. Basically we learned that:

1) The music alphabet goes up to G, then starts over again with A.

2) The lines of the bass clef can be memorized with Great Big Ducks Fly Away.

3) The spaces can be memorize with All Cows Eat Grass

Please press the Exercise button below.