clef
klef
[ English , from Latin meaning key ]
Definition
A symbol placed at the beginning of the staff to denote which notes are indicated by the lines and spaces. The most common clefs are:
- The bass, or F clef, which is indicated by a stylized F, and encompasses the tones of G to A sharp;
- The treble, or G clef, indicated by a stylized G, and encompassing the tones of e1 to F sharp2;
- The movable, or C clef, indicated by a symbol which points to any of the five lines of the staff, indicating that that line is the pitch middle C or c1;
- The neutral clef or indefinite pitch clef, which is used for percussion instruments with no specific pitch.