Bass clef: the left hand

Key idea The two dots of the bass clef surround line 4, so line 4 is F (F3). Lines: G B D F A. Spaces: A C E G.

Bass clef is for low notes, usually the left hand. It starts with a dot on line 4 and has two small dots either side of that line. Line 4 is the F below middle C (F3).

Bass clef landmarks

• Middle C (C4): on the ledger line just above the bass staff.
• F3: line 4, between the clef dots.
• C3: space 2.
• G2: line 1, the bottom line.