French violin clef
The French violin clef is a G clef on the lowest (first) line: the G4 lies there, not on the second line as in the ordinary treble clef. It is found above all in French Baroque music.
- Fixed
- G4 on the first (lowest) line
- Period
- mainly French Baroque music
- Ordinary treble clef
- G4 on the second line
- Family
- G clef
The G4 one line lower
A G clef fixes on which line the G4 sits: its spiral curls around that line. In the ordinary treble clef it is the second line from the bottom. In the French violin clef the clef sits on the first, lowest line. As a result the G4 lies one line lower: the lines now carry G4, B4, D5, F5 and A5.
A melody in the French violin clef
The first G4 is on the lowest line. The clef sits one line lower than the ordinary treble clef.
The same notes in the ordinary treble clef
In the ordinary treble clef the G4 lies on the second line. The melody is the same, but it sits one line higher than in the French clef.
What it was used for
In the 17th and 18th centuries the clef was used above all in France for the violin and the flute. In time the ordinary treble clef prevailed. Today the French violin clef is met mainly in editions of French Baroque music.
How to read it
Find the G4 on the lowest line and count upward from there. The table shows all places. If you know the ordinary treble clef, convert: the same place in the staff means in the French clef a note a third higher (lowest line: G4 instead of E4).
| Place in the staff (from the bottom) | Note in the French violin clef |
|---|---|
| first line | G4 |
| first space | A4 |
| second line | B4 |
| second space | C5 |
| third line | D5 |
| third space | E5 |
| fourth line | F5 |
| fourth space | G5 |
| fifth line | A5 |
Common mistakes
- Reading the clef as the ordinary treble clef: Then all notes lie a third too low.
- Looking for the G4 on the second line: Here it lies on the first.
- Confusing the clef with the soprano clef: It is a G clef, not a C clef.
Continue on Maikstrings
Related terms
Treble clefClefC clefSoprano clefOctave clefBass clefOne-line octave
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 3 October 2026
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