Sight Reading

[Megan]

Something I found useful to memorise in reading music on the Bass Clef .


The Bass notes are read two tones higher than the Treble notes, but attention should be drawn to the fact, that they are played two octaves lower.

[Chris]

I used to use that fact when I was first learning the piano. I was already comfortable with the treble clef from playing the violin, so I would always do this "translation" from the treble clef when reading the bass clef. With enough practice, though, you will find that you will be reading both clefs directly without a problem!

[Peter]

The best way is to think of it as one stave rather than two, with Middle C in the middle! Starting from the bottom the lines (including middle C) make G B D F A C E G B D F
Then for the spaces turn it round the other way A C E G B D F A C E

Practice hopping on the keyboard saying all the lines then the spaces. The most essential thing though is to read by interval, learning to easily recognise 2nds, 3rds etc and to always read from the bottom up, not the other way round as most beginners do.

Hope that helps.

[Megan]

Many thanks Peter and Chris, I am pretty good reading Treble and found trying to read the bottom line first I am still having to think about the notes, so there is a delay in continuity.

Yes, I think that is very good advice Peter about thinking about the music as one stave rather that two, I was looking on the internet for both staves together with all the notes, but couldn't find one.

I have been doing a peace of music with the same notes written on Treble and Bass. I find I can memorize like that too.

[Enrique]

Cello students read both clefs with equal ease.

[Megan]

Many thanks Peter and Chris, I am pretty good reading Treble and found trying to read the bottom line first I am still having to think about the notes, so there is a delay in continuity.

Yes, I think that is very good advice Peter about thinking about the music as one stave rather that two, I was looking on the internet for both staves together with all the notes, but couldn't find one.

I have been doing a piece of music with the same notes written on Treble and Bass. I find I can memorize like that too.

Just corrected a glaring spelling error.

[Quijote]

Cello students read both clefs with equal ease.

Hello? Three clefs with ease, if you please!!!

[Enrique]

I won't say I did not hate the C clef in the 2nd line when I was a student. The problem is that (for the BRSers not familiar with 'cello literature) that old scores (pardon me, Quijote) did not use the G clef except when going high in the instrument, so, the used to be many additional lines above the first.