Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

To Fathom the Rhythm Clef

No Letters With this Staf. .f

Unlike the other clefs, the rhythm clef doesn’t show pitch (the high and

low of notes), so there is no need for letter names. The rhythm clef shows

rhythms. Go figure.

This clef didn’t start out as another letter, because no letters are used with

the rhythm clef. Doesn’t this sound like this should be easier than treble

or bass clef? Well, guess again....

Example 9.1 The rhythm clef in all its neutral-ness.

Why No Note Names?

Remember that note names show what pitch a note is? If not, take a look

at “The High and the Lowly” on page 33 for information about pitch, and

look at example 5.1 on page 38.

Percussion instruments, most of them, don’t have definite pitches like

other instruments do. Compare the sound of a flute to the sound of a

drum. Flute is an instrument with high notes and low notes and

everything in between. A drum has only one pitch.

The One-Line Staff with Rhythm Clef

If only one pitch, why not only one line? Great question. Some single-

instrument percussion music is written on one line. The line looks

something like this:

Example 9.2 Single staff line with rhythm clef.

bar lines

rhythm clef single staff line