A clef is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate the pitch of the notes. The most common clefs are the treble clef and the bass clef. The treble clef, which looks like a fancy letter "G," is used for higher-pitched instruments and voices, while the bass clef, resembling a backward "C," is used for lower-pitched sounds. Each clef assigns specific notes to the lines and spaces of the staff, helping musicians read and play music accurately. Clefs are essential for musicians because they provide a visual guide to understanding music notation. For example, the alto clef is often used for violas, while the tenor clef is used for some higher-pitched instruments