> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/notation/clefs.md).

# Clefs

Commonly used **Clefs** (Treble, Bass, Alto, Tenor) can be found in the Clefs [palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) in the Basic [workspace](/3/basics/workspaces.md). For a more complete range, see the **Clefs** palette in the Advanced workspace (see image below).

## Add a clef

### Add/change clef at the beginning of a measure

* Select a measure or an existing clef and click a clef symbol in the palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
* Drag a clef from the palette onto a measure or an existing clef.

### Add/change a mid-measure clef

* Select a note or rest, then click a clef in the palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
* Drag a clef from the palette onto a note or rest
* If a mid-measure clef is *already present* you can also:
  * Select the clef and click a clef in the palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).
  * Drag a new clef from the palette onto the clef.

**Note**: "Mid-staff" clefs are always smaller than the main system clef.

**Example**: In the following image, the top staff starts with a treble clef and switches immediately to bass clef, then after a note and a rest, changes back to treble clef.

<figure><img src="/files/2kCuNZMJmIawDBcafaVb" alt="Mid-measure clef changes"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Note**: Changing a clef does not change the pitch of any note. Instead, the notes move to preserve pitch. If you want, you can use [Transposition](/3/notation/transposition.md) in conjunction with a clef change.

## Remove a clef

* Select a clef and press <kbd>Del</kbd>.

## Courtesy clefs

When a clef change occurs at the beginning of a system, a **courtesy clef** will be generated at the end of the previous system.

To show or hide *all* courtesy clefs:

1. From the menu, select **Format -> Style... -> Page**;
2. Check/uncheck "Create courtesy clefs."

It is also possible to show/hide courtesy clefs on a case-by-case basis:

1. "Create courtesy clefs" should already be ticked in the "General" menu (see above);
2. Select a clef and tick/untick "Show courtesy" in the [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md#clef).

## Hide clefs

### Display clef only in the first measure (for all staves)

1. From the menu, select **Format -> Style... -> Page**;
2. Uncheck "Create clef for all systems."

### Display clef only in the first measure (for a particular staff)

1. Right-click on the staff (Mac: <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>-click) , select **Staff properties...** and uncheck "Show clef;"
2. Open the [master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md) and select the "Symbols" section;
3. Drag and drop a clef from the master palette onto the first measure of the staff; OR select the first note and click a clef in the master palette (double-click in versions prior to 3.4).

**Note**: This option may be useful to TAB users who do not want the clef to repeat on every subsequent line.

### Hide all clefs in a particular staff

1. Right-click on the staff (Mac: <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>-click) , and select **Staff properties...**;
2. Uncheck "Show clef."


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