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To be able to play the tuba,

it is important to learn how to read notes in the bass clef.

Once you recognize a few key patterns, you will surely master reading bass clef!  Try to commit these notes to memory as soon as possible.

Bass Clef Staff

Bass Clef

Ledger Lines

Entire Staff

    It is important to remember that the staff moves in alphabetical order.  If you can remember that the note “A” is the bottom space and top line of the bass clef staff, you can count lines and spaces up or down from those points, moving in alphabetical order.

Lines

Remember this phrase: 

Good Boys Do Fine Always

Spaces

Remember this phrase: 

All Cows Eat Grass

Ledger Lines

    If you remember that the lowest line on the bass clef staff is “G”, you can count down alphabetically through the ledger lines and spaces below the staff.  Remembering that the top line of the staff is “A”, you can count up alphabetically through the ledger lines and spaces above the staff.

                                                    Need a little extra practice reading bass clef notes? 

    Click any of the pictures below to view a printable worksheet that you can use to practice reading notes on the bass clef staff.  These worksheets are provided as educational tools by Finale.

The Staff - Bass Clef

Bass Clef - Ledger Lines

Musical Words - Bass Clef I

Musical Words - Bass Clef II

Now that you have mastered bass clef,
click here to learn about tuba fingerings!