Notes & the Staff

Music uses seven natural note names: A, B, C, D, E, F, G. These repeat across octaves. Sharps raise a note by a half step, and flats lower it by a half step.

The Treble Clef Staff

The staff has 5 lines and 4 spaces. In treble clef, the lines from bottom to top are E-G-B-D-F and the spaces spell F-A-C-E.

𝄞

Play Notes

Click the piano keys to hear each note. The note names are shown below each white key. Black keys are sharps/flats.

C3D3E3F3G3A3B3C4D4E4F4G4A4B4

Octaves

The same note names repeat in higher and lower octaves. Each octave is numbered — middle C is C4. Higher numbers mean higher pitch.

Quiz: Identify the Note

Question 1 of 7Score: 0

What note is shown on the staff?