Music Fundamentals: Staff, Clefs & Accidentals | Music Theory
Music Fundamentals: Staff, Clefs & Accidentals
The basic building blocks of written music — the staff, clef names, and what sharps, flats, and naturals do to a note.
Objectives
- Know how many lines and spaces make up a standard music staff.
- Know the other names for the treble and bass clefs.
- Know what a sharp, flat, and natural sign each do to a note.
Worksheet
- How many lines does a standard music staff have?Answer: ______________________
- The treble clef is also known by which other name?Answer: ______________________
- What does a sharp sign (♯) do to a note?Answer: ______________________
- What does a natural sign (♮) do?Answer: ______________________
Answer Key
- 5 — A standard music staff has 5 lines (and 4 spaces between them).
- G clef — The treble clef is also called the G clef, because it curls around the line where G sits.
- Raises it by a semitone — A sharp raises a note by a semitone (half step).
- Cancels a previous sharp or flat — A natural sign cancels a sharp or flat that came before it, returning the note to its normal pitch.
1. How many lines does a standard music staff have?
2. The treble clef is also known by which other name?
3. What does a sharp sign (♯) do to a note?
4. What does a natural sign (♮) do?