Bass clef

Bass clef
Clef Clef (kl[e^]f; 277), n. [F. clef key, a key in music, fr. L. clavis key. See {Clavicle}.] (Mus.) A character used in musical notation to determine the position and pitch of the scale as represented on the staff. [1913 Webster]

Note: The clefs are three in number, called the C, F, and G clefs, and are probably corruptions or modifications of these letters. They indicate that the letters of absolute pitch belonging to the lines upon which they are placed, are respectively C, F, and G. The F or bass clef, and the G or treble clef, are fixed in their positions upon the staff. The C clef may have three positions. It may be placed upon the first or lower line of the staff, in which case it is called soprano clef, upon the third line, in which case it called alto clef, or upon the fourth line, in which case tenor clef. It rarely or never is placed upon the second line, except in ancient music. See other forms of C clef under C, 2. [1913 Webster]

{Alto clef}, {Bass clef}. See under {Alto}, {Bass}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bass clef — Bass Bass, a. Deep or grave in tone. [1913 Webster] {Bass clef} (Mus.), the character placed at the beginning of the staff containing the bass part of a musical composition. [See Illust. under {Clef}.] {Bass voice}, a deep sounding voice; a voice …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bass clef — [ ,beıs klef ] noun count the symbol used at the beginning of a line of music to show that the notes following it are to be played at the lower end of the instrument s range ─ compare TREBLE CLEF …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • bass clef — ► NOUN Music ▪ a clef placing F below middle C on the second highest line of the stave …   English terms dictionary

  • bass clef — [bās] n. Music 1. a sign on a staff, indicating the position of F below middle C on the fourth line: see CLEF 2. the range of notes on a staff so marked …   English World dictionary

  • bass clef — [ˌbeıs ˈklef] n a sign at the beginning of a line of written music that shows that the top line of the ↑stave is the A below ↑middle C …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • bass clef — bass′ clef [[t]beɪs[/t]] n. mad a symbol placed on the fourth line of a musical staff indicating that the fourth line corresponds to F below middle C • Etymology: 1900–05 …   From formal English to slang

  • bass clef — noun a clef that puts the F below middle C on the fourth line of a staff • Syn: ↑F clef • Hypernyms: ↑clef * * * noun Etymology: bass (III) 1 …   Useful english dictionary

  • bass clef — UK [ˌbeɪs ˈklef] / US noun [countable] Word forms bass clef : singular bass clef plural bass clefs music the symbol used at the beginning of a line of music to show that the notes following it are to be played at the lower end of the instrument s …   English dictionary

  • bass clef — noun Date: circa 1771 1. a clef placing the F below middle C on the fourth line of the staff 2. the bass staff …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • bass clef — /bays/, Music. a symbol placed on the fourth line of a staff to indicate that the fourth line of the staff corresponds to the F next below middle C; F clef. [1900 05] * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”