Middle C

A note on its own little line

Middle C is the C near the middle of a piano. It sits on a short extra line called a ledger line. In the treble clef it is one ledger line below the stave. In the bass clef it is one ledger line above the stave.

One note, two places

Put the two staves together and middle C sits between them. Both are the same note with the same sound. It can just be written in two places.

Count from a note you know

To name any note, start from one you know: G in the treble clef, F in the bass clef, or middle C. Then count one letter for each line and space.

Remember

• Middle C sits on a ledger line.
• Treble clef: just below the stave. Bass clef: just above.
• To name a note, count from G, F or middle C.