bass clef

[ beys ]

noun

, Music.

1. 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.

bass clef

/ beɪs /

noun

1. the clef that establishes F a fifth below middle C on the fourth line of the staff Also calledF clef

Word History and Origins

Origin of bass clef¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

It is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his distinctive bass clef.

From BBC

How about Grizzly Bears Don’t Fly Airplanes for the lines of the bass clef, or Empty Garbage Before Dad Flips or Elephants Get Big Dirty Feet for the lines of the treble clef?

From Literature

You have extra French horn players, but they can't read bass clef C parts.

From Literature

It was the territorial line between where the right hand and the left hand traveled, between the treble and the bass clefs.

From Literature

While I’d been playing brass instruments for years, tuba parts are written in bass clef; I’d only ever read treble clef.

From New York Times