Scan 11
Dictionary of Music, Pronouncing and Defining, 1925
19 lines. Read by computer on 12 September 2026. Printed page 9. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE NOTATION OF PITCH.
3Musical pitch is noted by means of lines and spaces, grouped into convenient systems called staves, or a staff. In modern music the staff consists of five lines and the appertaining spaces, which number six (those above and below the lines being included). Each of these lines and spaces is called a degree of the staff, and represents a degree of the scale. Therefore, five lines, with the six appertaining spaces, afford places for eleven scale degrees. When more are wanted, short additional lines (called added lines) are written above or below. When these become excessive, the same are repeated with the expression 8vo above or below. The former indicates that the octave above is intended; the latter, the octave below.
5Pianoforte music generally employs two such systems of lines, one for the notes to be played by each hand. Organ music employs three staves, the part for the feet requiring an additional staff. Orchestral scores employ as many staves as there are instruments employed. These different staves are distinguished from each other by means of special designations, and by characters called Clefs, or keys. The clefs in use are three in form, and six in variety, according to the manner of applying them. First comes the treble, or G Clef, indicating the place of G above middle C. This is used for the right-hand parts in piano and organ music, the violin, oboe, flute, and instruments of high pitch. The bass, or F Clef, indicates the place of F below middle C. It is used for the basses. The C Clef indicates middle C. It is applied in several different manners.
7The following diagram shows the great staff of eleven lines (the line of middle C in the center), with the different clefs applied to the selection of five lines which they serve to identify.
9GREAT STAFF OF ELEVEN LINES,
11Showing the relation and pitch of the various Clefs and Staves used in Pianoforte and Vocal Music, and in Orchestral Scores; together with the letters indicating absolute pitch.
13Violin or Soprano Staff.
14Soprano-Staff.—f'' g'' a'' b'' c'' d'' e'' f''
15Mezzo-Sopr. Staff.—c'' d'' e''
16Tenor-Staff.—
17Alto-Staff.—
18Base-Staff.—G A B C D E F G F D C C B B A A G G F F
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