How to use it
- Choose treble clef, bass clef or mixed.
- Pick a difficulty level.
- Name the note shown on the staff.
- Watch your accuracy, streak and average time.
How the trainer works
A note appears on the staff. Name it in whichever way is fastest for you:
- Click one of the note buttons (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
- Press the matching letter key on your computer keyboard.
- Press the key on the on-screen piano: here only the pitch counts, not the octave, and both names of a black key are accepted.
- Play it on a connected MIDI keyboard (Chrome and Edge on desktop).
Right answers turn the note green; wrong ones show what you picked and the correct name, and the note is highlighted on the keyboard. With Auto-advance on, the next note appears after a moment; otherwise press Enter or the space bar. You can also hear each note.
Three levels
| Level | What you practice |
|---|---|
| 1. Staff only | The five lines and four spaces, plus the notes just below and above the staff |
| 2. Ledger lines | Up to two ledger lines below and above |
| 3. Sharps & flats | Ledger lines plus sharps and flats; name the note with its accidental, such as F♯ or B♭ |
On level 3 extra rows of buttons appear for sharps and flats. Rare spellings like E♯, B♯, F♭ and C♭ are left out, since they confuse beginners more than they help. Mixed mode switches between treble and bass clef at random, which is ideal for piano students who read both at once.
Lines and spaces to remember
- Treble clef lines from the bottom: E G B D F, "Every Good Boy Does Fine". Spaces: F A C E, which spells "FACE". The clef curls around G4 on the second line, which is why it's also called the G clef.
- Bass clef lines from the bottom: G B D F A, "Good Boys Do Fine Always". Spaces: A C E G, "All Cows Eat Grass". The two dots surround F3 on the fourth line, so it's also called the F clef.
- Middle C (C4) sits on the first ledger line below the treble staff and the first ledger line above the bass staff.
The built-in note chart shows every note on both staffs with its scientific pitch name (C4, D4…), and you can click any note to hear it.
Track your progress
The score panel shows correct answers and percentage, your current streak, your best streak and your average answer time. Aim for accuracy first, then speed: most readers find that once they can name a note in under two seconds without counting lines, sight reading starts to feel natural.
Turn on Solfège (C = do) to see do, re, mi labels alongside the letter names, which is useful if your choir or class uses fixed-do or Kodály solfège. Everything runs in your browser, and your score resets when you close the page.
Practice tips
- Practice in short daily sessions of five to ten minutes rather than one long session a week.
- Learn landmark notes first: middle C, treble G and bass F. Read other notes as steps from them.
- Stay on level 1 until your streak regularly passes 20, then add ledger lines.
- Say the note name out loud as you answer; it builds the link faster.
- Pair note reading with the online piano so you connect each note with its key.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes on the treble clef lines?
From bottom to top: E, G, B, D, F. The spaces spell F, A, C, E.
What are the notes on the bass clef lines?
From bottom to top: G, B, D, F, A. The spaces are A, C, E, G.
Where is middle C on the staff?
On the first ledger line below the treble staff, or the first ledger line above the bass staff.
Can I use my MIDI keyboard?
Yes, in desktop Chrome and Edge. Click Use a MIDI keyboard and allow access, then play the note you see.
How long does it take to learn to read notes?
It varies, but with ten minutes of daily practice most beginners can name staff notes reliably within a few weeks.
Last updated: November 12, 2026