What is the purpose of a clef in music notation?

A clef serves a crucial role in music notation by indicating the pitch of the notes that follow it. It is a symbol placed at the beginning of a musical staff that assigns specific pitches to the lines and spaces of that staff. For example, the treble clef indicates that the second line from the bottom of the staff represents the note G, while the bass clef designates the second line as F. This foundational aspect of music notation allows musicians to understand the specific notes to be played, making it essential for accurate performance and interpretation of the written music.

The other options touch on elements that are important in music but are not the purpose of a clef. Tempo relates to the speed at which a piece should be played, dynamics refer to the volume of the music, and style of performance encompasses the interpretations made by the musician, but none of these functions fall under the role of the clef in music notation.