The staff and the clef
Music is written on a staff of five lines. The higher the note, the higher it sounds. The symbol at the start is the clef: it tells you which note sits on each line.
Notes on the lines and spaces
In treble clef, learn the lines first and then the spaces, always from the bottom up:
Lines: Every Good Boy Does Fine. Spaces spell FACE. Notes above or below the staff use ledger lines, short extra lines added just for that note.
Middle C and C position
Middle C is in the middle of the keyboard and, on the page, on a ledger line between the two staves. With your right thumb on it, your five fingers play C, D, E, F and G:
The left hand reads bass clef. Lines, bottom to top: G, B, D, F, A (Good Boys Do Fine Always). Spaces: A, C, E, G (All Cows Eat Grass). This is C position an octave lower, for the left hand:
Rhythm: how long each note lasts
The shape of a note tells you how long it lasts. A bar of 4/4 holds four beats:
| Note | What it looks like | Beats |
|---|---|---|
| Whole note | open head, no stem | 4 |
| Half note | open head with a stem | 2 |
| Quarter note | filled head with a stem | 1 |
| Eighth note | filled, with a stem and one flag | ½ |
| Dot | adds half of the note's length | + ½ |
→ Full lesson on rhythm and time signatures
Sharps, flats and key signatures
A ♯ sharp raises a note by a half step; a ♭ flat lowers it by a half step; a ♮ natural cancels both. When they appear right after the clef they form the key signature and apply to the whole piece: a ♯ on the F line means every F is played as F♯.
Symbols you'll see in piano music
- A large brace joining both staves: both hands play together; read top to bottom like a chord.
- Numbers 1 to 5: fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 pinky. The same for both hands.
- Ped. and ✱ (or a line underneath): press and release the sustain pedal.
- 8va: play an octave higher; 8vb, an octave lower.
- R.H. / L.H.: right hand / left hand.
Step by step: reading your first song
- Check the clef, key signature and time signature before you play.
- Say the note names of the first line out loud, without playing.
- Clap the rhythm while counting the beats.
- Play slowly, one phrase at a time, without stopping when you make a mistake.
- Repeat until it flows, and only then speed up.
→ Start with easy sheet music that has the note names · → General lesson: how to read sheet music
Practice free in the app
The app shows the fingering for every note as you play and checks you through the microphone. Free, no sign-up.
Open the app →Frequently asked questions
Why does piano use two clefs?
Because the keyboard is so wide. Treble clef covers the high notes, bass clef the low ones, and they meet at middle C.
Which hand reads which staff?
Usually the right hand reads the top staff (treble clef) and the left hand the bottom one (bass clef), though the music can swap them.
How do I start reading with both hands?
Read and play each hand alone until it feels easy. Then put them together very slowly, one bar at a time.