Identify the treble clef. The treble clef is sometimes referred to as the “g” clef because it looks slightly like a cursive “g.” The treble clef is usually on the top row, and the bass clef, with a symbol that looks like an ear, usually sits on the bottom. Each clef is to the left of a staff with five lines. Notes can be placed on a line or in a space between the lines to show which specific note they represent. The lines on the treble clef’s staff represent (from bottom to top) E, G, B, D and F and the spaces represent F, A, C and E. On the bass clef, the lines represent G, B, D, F and A and the spaces represent A, C, E and G.
Locate middle C on both staffs. Middle C is sometimes referred to as “C4,” because it is the C note in the fourth octave of a standard, 88-key piano. Each octave contains five black notes and seven white ones. Understand the usage of ledger lines to locate middle C on the staffs. A note that falls above or below the five lines is positioned using smaller lines to show which position it occupies. Locate middle C just underneath the treble staff and just above the bass staff. Middle C falls one line off of each staff, and is drawn above or below the staff with a small horizontal line going through it to indicate its position.
Use a piano or existing piece of sheet music to find the vocal melody you wish to transcribe. Find out the key of the song and use notes in that key to work out the melody on piano. Alternatively, you can sing it and just match the notes you produce with the piano keys.
Write the notes down in their required positions on the staff. Remember the position of middle C on both staffs so you can put the note in the right octave. Use quarter notes to indicate notes held for a quarter of a bar, half notes for ones held for half a bar and whole ones for notes held for the entire bar (see Resources).
Add in various positions by putting more than one note on the same horizontal line. If you put a high E on the treble staff, and a middle C also on the treble staff, the E is to be sung by the soprano and the C is to be sung by the alto. This works in the same way for the tenor and bass on the bass staff. Use upwards pointing stems for the soprano and tenor, and downwards pointing ones for the alto and bass.