Easy Trick to Read in Bass Clef (How to Read Music: Part 2)

[@DGaryGrady]

Excellent as always! Here are two things I've found helpful as a perpetual beginner, for what they're worth: 1. The clef markers are useful anchor points. The G (treble) clef sort of looks like a cursive G and the lower part loops around the G line. The F (bass) clef sort of looks like a stylized F with the two dots (corresponding to the horizontal lines of a capital F) marking the F line. 2. I'm embarrassed to say how long it took me to notice how simple and logical musical notation and note names actually are. Maybe this is obvious to most people, but I'm not that smart! For example, there's a rule against having two different notes with the same letter name in a given scale. The reason for that rule is crystal clear if you try to write a scale on sheet music. For example, the G-major scale is G A B C D E F# G. Since Gb is another name for F# you could try to write it G A B C D E Gb G, but when you try to write the latter on sheet music it gets ridiculous. It's much more sensible to put notes on the lines and spaces for G A B C D E F and G and then put a # on the F line way to the left (top line on the treble clef, one line down on the bass) to say that all the Fs are really F#s (well, unless overridden by an accidental). Same with F-major: The 4th note needs to be Bb and not A# to keep things sensible: Write the notes on the staff as F G A B C D E and F, and then put a flat on the B (middle line of the treble clef, one line down on the bass) to say all the Bs are really Bbs. In fact, this actually explains the vertical positioning sharps and flats in a key signature. You could in theory put a sharp on the lowest space of the treble clef to indicate that every F is sharpened, but then on the bass clef it would wind up below the staff. So in each key signature we put the # or b as high as it will fit on the treble staff so when translated down to the bass staff the same pattern still fits neatly.

[@GracieTerzian]

This is awesome! I’m pinning your comment so other people can read it. I’m sure some people will find it helpful! :)

[@causeandefect8252]

@@GracieTerzian !. I feel like a celeb!

[@BILU123123]

I 100% agree with your logical explanation; just put the "#" or "b" before the note, once the result is exactly the same and makes the read process more "clean" and "simple" ! Thanks for sharing this content @DGaryGrady !!

[@omoclinton]

Love your insight on this

[@dariorodriguezdeamerica]

What you wrote is not smart at all! Is wise. Thanks for resurfacing the insights that got lost in brute force teaching.

[@NinerFourWhiskey]

All Cows Eat Grass and FACE is how I remembered them when I was young, and that was a long time ago! The ones that get me are reading above the ledger line on either clef.

[@mundomagico7787]

Thank you exactly what I was looking for! I knew FACE and knew the lower must have something similar!

[@cdo720]

The lines are every good boy does fine And good boys do fine always

[@felisaaero]

All these years, no one taught this. Brillant! Reading Bass clef is so easy now. This beats all the stupid pneumonics! Thank you! Thank you!!’

[@JustMe-999a]

If you're too dense to realize the relationship on your own, you're too stupid to play an instrument

[@elise5853]

@@JustMe-999aWhy so negative?

[@WoodbabyCYL]

@@JustMe-999a👎

[@kaiserchief9319]

@@elise5853 Probably because they can't play an instrument. 🤣😂

[@IKEAMAN]

This is a LIFE SAVER I'm playing Bass in Jazz band Tommorrow, but I have know clue how to read bass clef. Thank you very much for the help.

[@raine_animatez]

same with me!!

[@reqxen]

no?

[@timdawdy5961]

Wow! I'm a 63 year old music major at the local college. Bass clef was always difficult for me. This video really helped.

[@GracieTerzian]

So glad to hear it!!

[@syzygy2464]

turns out us old dogs can learn new tricks. I too have never seen this method in all the years I've been playing, reading and writing music. Kind of makes things click a little more.

[@peacockpaula4723]

This is a healing remedy for humble beginner self taught ear players because I never though or even dreamed that there's such a way to get over reading music notes on bass clef... remarcable. Thank you dear dolly for this "holly" tip 😀👏🌷.

[@thepattonians]

I can't believe I never noticed this before - and I've been playing bass for 33 years! Thanks for the great tip.

[@erichmenig1193]

Hi Gracie, I’ve been lingering in the background for quite some time now and have been in awe of your teachings. I am 66 years young and I am the organist in the Moravian Church here in Curaçao ( this is an island in the Caribbean north of Venezuela). Apart from being the church organist I give piano lessons and organ lesson. For the last 25 years I’ve been playing also in the Jewish Synagogue Mikve Israel Emanuel, a Sephardic Reformed Jewish synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere in continuous use. In my piano lessons I am constantly looking for ways of keeping the lessons interesting and many tips you presented I have used as well. Today’s lesson is a “Bomb” !!! I am sure it is going to be a real eye opener for my students. I want to thank you on behalf of them and I’ll keep learning from you.. I hope things are good with the baby as well. Best regards, Erich Menig

[@GracieTerzian]

Hello Erich!! Thank you so much for your incredibly kind comment. It really means a lot to read your words.. especially coming from another teacher. How cool that you live in Curaçao!!! And that you play the organ at the Moravian church and old Synagogue there!! I am in awe of organ players. Thank you again for your nice comment - it made my day! Blessings to you and your students :)

[@gorelowjeff5054]

I just watched 6 videos on how to learn the bass clef and this seemed Ridiculously easy. Thank you so much. Maybe I won't drive my harp teacher so crazy now

[@Birenmondol-xf6ug]

Brilliant no 1 teacher in the world Now staff notation seems very easy to remember Super cool teaching techniques

[@604cuinkillah]

After years of playing trumpet I'm thinking I should learn the piano. Bass clef is so foreign. Then I see this... WOW!! Totally unlocked my mind, THANK you😉😊😊😊

[@NonsenseInBASIC]

Superb timing! I just resolved to learn eight reading this year - and my first job was figuring out bass clef. And here you come to the rescue! Thanks for yet another wonderful video :)

[@robertakerman3570]

Dave, not making fun(trying to learn); did U mean "sight reading", or is eight a style of Octave etc.?

[@GracieTerzian]

Aw thank you so much! I'm so glad the timing on this video is good! :) Best of luck on your sight reading journey

[@robertakerman3570]

@@creamwobbly Hope U do well. I tend to get it until I stray; then it's a complete reset. Worst memory ever, but it's still fun to watch Gracie.

[@nickmorley1159]

I cannot believe I have been struggling all these years and never drew this connection. Thank you so much! Lightbulb moment!

[@GracieTerzian]

Wonderful!

[@maryk6780]

Since I broke my finger and my practicing is limited, I decided to learn more theory. I have watched several of your videos, so far. These videos are the silver lining to an otherwise unfortunate circumstance. Thank you so much!!

[@milas3892]

I loved this explanation. I am an adult beginner piano student, although I first learned how to read notes when I was a teenager decades ago… I can read the notes so much easier in the treble clef than in the bass clef. This lesson opened my eyes for something that may be obvious for some but I just never thought about it.

[@lpa9974]

Thank you Gracie. I always love finding tips and tricks and new ways of thinking about music theory. I notice that so many people struggle with recognizing notes on the Bass clef. I had the same issues when I began playing many years ago. After giving it much thought, I believe that it’s because teachers always taught beginners to start with the Treble clef until they got really familiar with the notes and songs and mostly ignored the bottom (Bass) clef. It was such a revelation at some point to realize that the Treble clef is just a continuation of the notes from the Bass clef, starting at low G and continuing the notes alphabetically by line and space all the way up to the high F line at the top of the Treble clef!

[@leftofcenter4]

Your a natural teacher, was not even trying to learn that tonight but needed to get learn it like 20 years ago… I knew it was something like that move up down thing. Gives me a great foundational start to figuring out music now by reading the staff instead of always relying on my ear

[@americanstudyingrussian9062]

This is awesome! 40 years ago, I took guitar lessons & learned to read treble clef. I got a keyboard & wanted to learn to read bass clef. It's difficult because I instantly recognize the note as if it were in treble clef. I thought I would have to untrain myself from what I know. But now I can let my eyes follow the space/line above & I can play easily. Thank you!

[@mitchell061675]

I can’t believe it took me this long to find you amazing teaching and help, I started self teaching my self music theory about two year ago, and you have helped me more in one week. Thank you for being you!!!!

[@charmainewein6410]

The part where you erased the clef symbols and put one note under the other was golden for me! What a great hack! You are an incredible teacher!❤

[@johnmoorehead4986]

Wow. That was really a great explanation.! The video was 4.5 minutes long and just watching your video on this subject and the circle of fith's I have learned more in 2 days than I have over the last 2 years..Great job!!!

[@i.davidsafian8491]

That is the easiest explanation of base cleft that I have ever heard - Thank you

[@sandywise3867]

Thankyou very much for that hack. I have just started to learn the bass clef after many years of self taught on a keyboard and playing automatic chords with my last hand. It was a pattern I never noticed before.

[@GracieTerzian]

You’re welcome! Rock on!

[@robertborch5868]

Thanks Gracie! Being a bass player, and doing so mostly by ear, I need to develop my sight reading a bit more. This lesson is really helpful. Now I just have to practice! 😊

[@austinleonardo9160]

You're a Great Teacher.... I'm daily following your videos... Here I'm able to Learn everything easily which I have struggled to understand earlier... Love from India ❤️

[@abbesatty9498]

So glad that my favourite teacher is back! Hope you're feeling well!

[@GracieTerzian]

Thank you so much!

[@jimwright9927]

I enjoy your lessons and this is a neat trick. I've have always struggled reading notes, especially on the bass cleft. Keep up the great lessons!

[@daltimond]

Thanks for this. It's really helpful. I'm learning piano after years of playing sax and I quickly realized reading music off the bass clef was harder than I expected.

[@jwsmsmith]

Gracie, I'm old enough to be your grampa and I have always struggled with the bass notes since I started lessons at 10 years old. So much so I gave up reading in real time and learned ear playing, even for my weekly lessons I cheated and memorized the notes and then pretended. I never heard of this trick before. Thank you so much!

[@emmam9954]

Oh my gosh! Thank you! Im starting cello off of 5 years of flute and Im reeling at the bass clef.

[@eveninglight520]

I’m switching from flute to tuba next week and this just made my life a whole lot easier! Thank you!!

[@sherilb8745]

Great lesson. Never thought of it that way before. Will use it to improve my sight reading skills. Thanks.

[@robertakerman3570]

Many yrs. ago it dawned on that the Bass clef is 2 notes down. Gracie says it much better.

[@anonglakmoonwicha2726]

I love your lessons even if they're about things I've known for years... they're still fun! (I play piano, so both clefs are something I've always needed to know)

[@GracieTerzian]

Ah that is great to hear! :)

[@Leesmusicstuff]

Love this!!! Just what I needed!! I’m teaching myself to play the bass and while I can (kinda) read the bass clef when it’s paired with the treble like for piano but when it’s just the bass clef my head still read it as a treble. This will be so helpful! Thank you!

[@GracieTerzian]

So glad to hear it!!!

[@beckyling9916]

Even though I can read all the notes instantly on the staff now, I still find this video extremely helpful. it will be especially easy to identify the certain notes like G in the treble cliff and E on the base cliff. Big thanks

[@22niloc]

Hi, Glad you're feeling better. Another gem of a lesson. I'm looking forward to part 3.

[@Pdee-123]

Thank you so much. For years I struggled with the bass clef

[@ricardoperez55]

Hi Gracie! So simple a concept and yet I hadn't figured it out so far by myself (and I've had so much trouble trying to remember all the notes of the bass clef). This is one of those videos that are so helpful for us beginners!! Thank you so much for this video. !!

[@mayralovesmusic]

I can't believe this! Never saw this pattern before you just blew my tiny brain 🧠

[@causeandefect8252]

You are a great teacher. Thanks. The Bass Clef is always a struggle for me, a violinist. I would like to play bass lines but haven't decided or learned where to play them yet. They are necessary for Piano, which I have recently started studying in order to be a better violinist. I am very grateful that you share your talent and insights. Thank you, DSL

[@robertdoyle4280]

I have never thought about it this way before. Thank you very much for sharing this!

[@kevinwallace3415]

Nice to see you back. I have a lot to learn so beside following your recent lessons I'm working my way through some of your older ones regarding scales etc.

[@Bob13Blues]

Gracie you are Brilliant! Thank you. I have been trying to learn Bass Clef. This makes it so easy.

[@sheebitz]

Thank you so much 🙌🏾 I’m a flute player and always used to treble clef but I’m learning piano so it’s been such a struggle

[@bluntube]

Super helpful simplification, I’ve never thought of. Thank you!

[@PharaohciousX]

My 3 weeks of trying to memorize bass clef just got solved in 20 seconds lololol sometimes we miss the forest for the tree. Amazing advice

[@frankworley-lopez2282]

Nice trick. Never knew that. Very cool.

[@donhenderson2138]

You really helped me understand music Theory. Your videos are a great help to me and very grateful.

[@GracieTerzian]

I’m so glad to hear that!! Thank you so much for your nice comment. Much appreciated.

[@steelybeatz6382]

Love this! I'm struggling learning the notes on Bass &, what a wonderful way to learn the notes on the F Clef. Thank you for sharing!! :)

[@tiablasangoriti8347]

This is a wonderful trick to know. Thank You for sharing it with us Gracie. You are a delightful music teacher. Best wishes to you and your new baby. ☺

[@nickrhodes6485]

I'm having to learn this in a quick manner to start teaching music. Played for 30 years but this part I never particularly cared for but it's part of music education. Thanks

[@LH-zv2zq]

I play bass and never thought, or knew how treble notes in comparison were set on staff. Again, you provide greater music insight. Thnx

[@GracieTerzian]

Awesome to hear :) Thanks!

[@rkoby42]

For the Bass Clef i have found so far, as I have been learning to play the piano, that just remembering ACEG, just say it, ACE G, is the easiest way to remember all the spaces in the Bass Clef. Once you got that then all the lines fall into place . Of course there are the 2 dots which mark the F line for the Bass Clef. Of course we got the same thing going on in the G Clef with FACE for the spaces which is easy to say and the G marked by the signature sign. Those are plenty of LANDMARK notes to work with on the staves. With practice it comes quicker and quicker to identify the notes.

[@robinanderson1115]

COOL LESSON. SO SIMPLE & 2 THE POINT. A VERY GOOD MUSIC TEACHER. LOVED IT.

[@GracieTerzian]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@owenturner585]

Great method Gracie, glad to see you well again!

[@gorelowjeff5054]

Simple but awesome. I see you did this video a couple of years ago. Why the hell wasn't I looking at it a couple of years ? It's go so simple. Why didn't 4:50 my harp teacher ever tell me this simple trick. Thank you

[@davidpickett]

Thanks Gracie! A neat trickI I had never really appreciated the relationship between the two staves.

[@davejanas948]

So simple! Why haven’t I heard this before?? Thank you!

[@romeosuminguit9716]

Thanks so much Miss Gracie I have learned a lot from you regarding the notation on G clif and Bass clif.

[@leftofcenter4]

A great foundation for reading piano music start… your a natural teacher, l didn’t even plan to learn that tonight.

[@binagordon8980]

Thank you Grace this is an amazing and surprising explanation. Wow, what an aha moment. You're awesome

[@Fenrisulv987-nl8kh]

Can't believe how simple this was... unbelievable how much u forget after decades of not playing an instrument. I'm almost ashamed lol ;) -- thx for the video!

[@mksrxwd]

Really helpful as I've been reading bass clef for many years but never took the time to learn treble clef. Thank you.

[@GracieTerzian]

You're very welcome!

[@christieallman2058]

What a great trick! I can fly through the notes on the treble clef but this trick is so easy to remember! thank you!

[@GracieTerzian]

You are so welcome!

[@scottdunn7484]

Have been there a thousand times (do I read one line (or space) higher or lower?); now I got it. Bass (clef) one space or line lower than treble (clef). Beautiful!

[@raymster8450]

Gracie, I hope you and your family are well. That you have recovered fully and will be praying for you. (and family).

[@arinorjoway]

Thanks for this video. We can say for Bass clef, B is for bottom, and for Treble clef, T is for: top. Bass - bottom, Treble - Top. This helped me too.

[@lueezec358]

It might sound odd, but I was looking for a kind of pattern between the two clef’s and you have described it for me, so thanks😊

[@ivanarivera5378]

This helps so muchhhh im trying to learn trombone as a alto sax player and this method is flawless

[@trtlphnx]

Love Your Channel And What you Do ~ I Think Your One Of The Best On The "Tube" and I Hope You Keep This Channel Going ~

[@GracieTerzian]

Aw thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear this. Thank you for your nice comment! Very appreciated

[@cadebabade]

Holy shit thank you so much. I’ve just transitioned and am having to learn bass clef and in the first 45 seconds you’ve solved all my issues

[@joshellyson]

First and foremost, welcome back Ms Gracie, hope you are feeling well. Next...Whoa, for me at least, this is cool, makes understanding the whole staff so much easier. No idea why it isn't taught this easy. Thanks for this.

[@GracieTerzian]

Thanks so much Josh! So glad you enjoyed the video. And thanks for the well wishes! I'm feeling much better now :)

[@barbaramiller4049]

Thank you. Sometimes the obvious needs to be shown. So simple.

[@salahudinmuhammad]

I give you my thanks for this well-thought-out explanation.

[@billhasty5197]

Wow, that really makes things a little easier. I am Shocked I never learned that and that know one shared that. Thank you so much. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@goodvolks2know372]

I love it, thanks. I hope to find some hints/videos on how to remember which note is on those lines or space (more then the little sayings you can use: FACE, All cow eat grass, etc. This was great, there are some I have memorized, but then would get confused with the others, so this is great.

[@jag7565]

And if you want to read alto clef then it would be the line/space in between the clefs 😊

[@ian_s7481]

Nice one Gracie, I’ve just bought a baritone sax so this will come in handy.

[@GracieTerzian]

Ah excellent! Enjoy the bari! :)

[@donkunes8630]

Thank you and hope for the best for you in your music endeavors

[@jorgeruiz8213]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are not just very pretty but, smart and generous. Love it!

[@211sweetypie]

Thanks lady! That was pretty cool and I never realized it. Self taught new beginner.

[@rickomuzik]

This is exactly my process

[@GracieTerzian]

Nice!

[@annietaylor2465]

So glad I found you. You are super good.

[@kando208]

Omg this makes so much sense 😂 finally I have found someone that has made reading music so much easier ❤

[@yongchaozhao1437]

Very useful tip! I am wondering if you can also do a lesson on how to apply these staff notes on piano or guitar! That will be more exciting to learn about.

[@DanielBobke]

Glad you are feeling better!

[@GracieTerzian]

Thank you!

[@shitzhu16]

Brilliant !!!!! I've never seen it like that.. So simple. Thanks from New Zealand and

[@lephan1770]

Thank you very much for your easy lesson , it is really cool.

[@GracieTerzian]

Me pleasure! So glad you like it

[@techslfink9722]

Thank you! Just what I needed. Somehow I never thought of this...

[@Bangz-Music]

Awesome concept. Didn't know this but is very helpful! Thanks.

[@jeanadubbs9321]

Thanks Gracie! Just learned something new from y after 4 years in . Thank you

[@fredspengeman6707]

Thanks for helping this frustrated trombonist!

[@napoleoninocillas2225]

thanks...excellent explanation Ms Gracie!

[@steveball4444]

Good video Gracie, thank you. Just an “I wish they had done it this way instead” observation: It seems like the guys who developed this stuff centuries ago made it as hard as possible. There is just one ledger line (for middle C) between the treble and bass clefs. If they had thought ahead just a bit and put two ledger lines between (one for middle C and for A below middle C) then the notes on the bass clef would exactly match those on the treble clef, making it much easier to learn. Too bad I wasn't around way back then to point that out 😉

[@kriskeogh4117]

Thank you thats explained in a way I understand

[@TheBradVision]

Wow. So simple of a concept. Thanks!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci for this. I have to look at your videos on reading notes, since this is something I don't do yet-

[@skilxx__]

You explained it really well, thank you!!

[@BOMBAY_CAT]

Please explain how to read the much lower notes on the base clef, thanks 😊

[@vladimirsuhov4285]

I think the simplest "rule of thumb" for memorizing which way to shift (up or down) is to note that the bass staff goes _below_ the treble staff on the sheet. So when transposing T->B go one full line down and vice versa.