How to read notes

Learn to read notes, one at a time.

Start by connecting staff positions to note names. Recognize treble and bass clefs, then use middle C as a reference.

Alternate lines and spaces

Count the five lines from bottom to top. The gaps are spaces. Look at whether the notehead sits on a line or in a space. Each step upward moves to the next name: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si.

A different clef changes the note names at the same positions. Check the symbol at the left first. These examples use no sharps or flats.

Treble clef: upward from middle C

Piano right-hand music often uses treble clef. The second line from the bottom is G. Middle C sits on one ledger line below the staff. Go upward through lines and spaces: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol.

Orange marks middle C. Moving right, each note is one step higher.

Bass clef: downward from middle C

Piano left-hand music often uses bass clef. The fourth line from the bottom is F. Middle C sits on one ledger line above the staff. Going downward: Do, Si, La, Sol, Fa.

Orange is the same middle C as above. Moving right, each note is one step lower.

Quick reference: notes within the staff

Both lines and spaces are listed from bottom to top.
Position	Treble clef	Bass clef
Five lines	Mi · Sol · Si · Re · Fa	Sol · Si · Re · Fa · La
Four spaces	Fa · La · Do · Mi	La · Do · Mi · Sol

This app uses fixed Do: Do=C, Re=D, Mi=E, Fa=F, Sol=G, La=A, Si=B. Switch between solfège and letter names in Settings.

Middle C and ledger lines

Short ledger lines show notes outside the staff. Keep alternating lines and spaces. Counting only the lines would skip notes.

In treble clef, the space below the staff is D and the ledger line below it is middle C. In bass clef, the space above is B and the next ledger line is middle C.

On a grand staff, middle C connects the upper treble and lower bass staves. These two noteheads show the same pitch on different staves.

How to practice when reading feels difficult

Choose treble or bass, then practice five questions at Easy level within the staff.
To test reading by sight, set sound to After answer. Take time to check the position before aiming for speed.
Move to Normal for one ledger line, then Hard for two. When both clefs feel familiar, try Grand staff.
Review missed notes and check accuracy in Practice records. Find tricky positions and return for short sessions.

Use these drills to connect note positions and names. Practice complete pieces, rhythm and fingering with sheet music and a keyboard too.

Practice note reading for free About Fuyomi Drill