The two clefs used in vocal and piano music are the treble clef (for notes above Middle C) and the bass clef (notes below Middle C). Notes above Middle C are notated with a treble clef on a five-lined staff, while note below Middle C are notated with a bass clef.
On a five-lined staff, beginning on the lowest of the five lines and counting upward on each line, the notes above Middle C are as follows: EGBDF. The mnemonic "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" helps students memorize note names in order. Beginning on the lowest "space" created between two staff lines, the notes are: FACE.
Below Middle C, beginning on the lowest line on a separate staff and counting upward on each line, the notes are: GBDFA. A mnemonic for these notes is "Good Birds Don't Fly Away." The spaces above middle are as follows: ACEG. Popular mnemonics used for this set of notes is "All Cows Eat Grass" or "All Cars Eat Gas."
Once students have learned note names in both clef placements, they can progress on to interval recognition. Intervals are 2-note combinations; one note is played followed by a 2nd note (either higher or lower than the first note). Interval recognition should begin with major keys then minor keys. A true mastery of these exercises indicates the ability to correctly identify both intervals played or sung in ascending and descending order.
A chord is a set of three notes played simultaneously. This ear training exercise tests a student's ability to distinguish between Major and minor key chords.
This exercise tests the ability to correctly write down the rhythmic notation for a short sequence that is played or sung. Beginners will be told the correct time signature prior to hearing the sequence. More advanced students will be able to correctly identify the time signature as it is played or sung, then write the rhythmic notation.
This exercise is similar to rhythmic dictation, with one addition: students not only write down the rhythm, but also the melody that is played or sung. The key (either Major or minor) is established prior to playing or singing the melodic sequence.