THE BASS CLEF

READING THE BASS CLEF

In the last lesson we looked at reading notes on the treble clef (the notes above middle C). To read notes below middle C, it's easiest to switch to Bass Clef. We will be taking the same approach that we used to learn the treble clef. To get into our new clef, watch the video below, and complete the worksheet.

Once again, let's put this straight into practice, and have a go at reading the bottom five notes of the bass clef. Put your little finger of the G below the C that's an octave BELOW middle C. This is the bottom note of the bass clef stave. let your other fingers and thumb rest on the notes A, B, C and D. Once again, set your metronome on at a reasonably slow tempo, and play the exercise 1, changing notes every 4 beats.

Once you've finished Exercise 1, move your left hand so that your little finger is on the note D, and you're ready to play exercise 2 :)

Once again, you'll want to play these exercises slowly SEVERAL times. To get the most out of this exercise, and help your brain make the connection, say (or sing!) the name of the note as you play it. 

Again, as well as learning to play these exercises on the piano, it is worth learning to read bass clef on other instruments as well - particularly on your major instrument. Here are the 'white' notes on the bass guitar. (note: fretboard diagrams show the bass 'upside down' with the lowest sounding strings at the bottom of the diagram, and the highest sounding strings at the top) For exercise one, the note one the bottom of the stave is G on the third fret of the or 'E' string (4th String). A, B, and C are on the A string, and D is easiest to play on the open D string. For exercise two, use the first three frets of the D and G strings. 

Now it's time to combine exercise 1 and 2, and look at the whole Staff. Again, try this exercise slowly with a metronome, and practice it several times until you can play it easily.