Understanding bass clef
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify pitches in the bass clef and perform and find the notes C - C on the keyboard.
Key learning points
- The bass clef shows lower pitched notes on the stave that are usually played by the left hand.
- Each of the bass clef notes have their own symbol on the stave.
- Playing pieces using the notes F - C, with the left hand.
- The left hand is in the F position when the little finger (5) is on F.
Keywords
Bass clef - a symbol used to notate pitches below ‘middle C’; the partner of the treble clef
Stave - five horizontal lines and four spaces that represent different musical pitches
F position - a hand position when playing the keyboard; the most important feature is having your little finger on F if playing with the left hand
Common misconception
C position is thumb on C in the left hand.
The C position is when the hand is placed in a position to play C up to G. With the right hand, this would be the thumb on C, finger 2 on D etc. With the left hand, the C position is when the little finger is on C, finger 4 is on D etc.
Teacher tip
Pupils will only gain fluency in notation reading through playing, but in this instance it's important that they can start to recognise some of the notes/pitches and have a way of working them out as needed. Encourage them to find a way of recognising and remembering some of the notes.
Equipment
Keyboard instrument.
Licence
Sign in to continue
Our content remains 100% free, but to access certain copyrighted materials, you'll need to sign in. This ensures we’re both staying within the rules.
P.S. Signing in also gives you more ways to make the most of Oak like unit downloads!
