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Notation - Note Names

Learn the notes of the staff in four clefs.

Setup

Clefs
Use these checkboxes to select which clefs should be used in the quiz.

Notes
This popup menu will allow you to select which notes should be displayed: notes on the staff only, notes within 2 ledger lines of the staff, or notes anywhere within 4 ledger lines of the staff.

Notation
Use these radio buttons to select whether Aquallegro uses the American notation system (letter names such as C, D, E) or the European notation system (fixed-Do solfege such as Do, Re, Mi).

Require octave as well as note name
Enabling this checkbox will require the user to type a guess of the letter name and the octave (ex. 'C4') rather than clicking on the letter name buttons.


Learning the Notes

There are several tricks to each clef that will help you learn which notes are which.

Treble Clef
In the treble clef, the spaces spell FACE from the bottom up (that is, the bottom space is F, the next one up is A, above that is C, and the top space is E). The lines spell EGBDF, which can be recalled using the mnemonic "Every Good Boy Does Fine." The treble clef circles around the line representing G4, giving it the second name "G clef."

Bass Clef
In the bass clef, the lines spell GBDFA, which can be recalled using the mnemonic "Good Boys Do Fine Always." The spaces spell ACEG, which can be recalled using the mnemonic "All Cows Eat Grass." The two dots in the bass clef surround the line representing F3, giving it the second name "F clef."

Tenor Clef
In the tenor clef, the lines spell D FACE, similar to the treble clef spaces. The spaces of the tenor clef spell EGBD. The clef is centered on the line representing C4, and can also be read by pretending it's treble clef and transposing down a step and an octave.

Alto Clef
In the alto clef, the lines spell FACE G, similar to the treble clef spaces. The spaces of the alto clef spell GBDF, which can be remembered using the mnemonic "Good Boys Do Fine," very similar to the bass and treble mnemonics. The alto clef is centered on the line representing C4, and can also be read by pretending it's treble clef and transposing up a step and down an octave.

Don't try to use all the mnemonics; pick the ones you like best and use them exclusively. Also, it's probably best to learn just one clef at a time. Good luck!