Bass clef (F clef)

The bass, or F, clef fixes F below middle C on the fourth staff line from the bottom. Its two dots sit on either side of that F line, and it serves lower registers.

Bass clef (F clef): music notation symbol placed at the start of the staff. Fixes F below middle C on the fourth line up.
Family
Clefs
Where it sits
At the start of the staff
What it looks like
A curve or arc, A dot

Do not confuse it with

The treble clef identifies G above middle C; the bass clef's dots bracket F below middle C.

What the sources say

  • Dorico Pro — Clefs Steinberg
    The bass clef, or F clef, in which two dots are shown either side of the line corresponding to F, normally the F below middle C.
  • Music Glossary — Clef GNU LilyPond
    the bass or F clef indicates that the bottom five lines have been selected from the grand staff
  • SMuFL — Clefs W3C Music Notation Community Group
    fClef — F clef

All notation signs

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