Chapter 7. Ledger Lines

Theory

Notes above and below the staff are covered in this chapter. In order to notate notes above or below the staff, ledger lines are used. When more than three ledger lines are employed, reading becomes particularly difficult. In order to read the notes faster, we are going to increase the number of smart notes.

1. Smart notes with ledger lines

In order to read notes on ledger lines, we shall increase the number of smart notes by six.

1The first smart note is the low C. It is on the second ledger line below the staff.

2The second smart note is the high C. It is on the second ledger line above the staff.

3The third smart note is the F below the low C. It is on the fourth ledger line below the staff.

4The fourth smart note is the G above the high C. It is on the fourth ledger line above the staff.

5The fifth smart note is the G above Middle C, written in the F-clef. It is on the third ledger line above the staff.

6The sixth smart note is the F below Middle C, written in the G-clef. It is on the third ledger line below the staff.

2. Exercise: learn to read smart notes

Note Reading exercise 5a: practise reading smart notes with ledger lines.

Note Reading exercise 5b: practise reading smart notes with ledger lines with time limit.

Get the full course

3. Reading all notes with ledger lines

In order to read all the notes with ledger lines, we make use of the smart notes.

1The first smart note is the low C. It is on the second ledger line below the staff.
One note higher is D. Two notes higher is E.
One note lower is B. Two notes lower is A.

2The second smart note is the high C. It is on the second ledger line above the staff.
One note lower is B. Two notes lower is A.
One note higher is D. Two notes higher is E.

3The third smart note is the F below the low C. It is on the fourth ledger line below the staff.
One note higher is G.
One note lower is E. Two notes lower is D.

4The fourth smart note is the G above the high C. It is on the fourth ledger line above the staff.
One note lower is F.
One note higher is A. Two notes higher is B.

5The fifth smart note is the G above Middle C, written in the F-clef. It is on the third ledger line above the staff.
One note lower is F.
One note higher is A. Two notes higher is B.

6The sixth smart note is the F below Middle C, written in the G-clef. It is on the third ledger line below the staff.
One note higher is G.
One note lower is E. Two notes lower is D.

7We also use Middle C written in the F-clef.
One note higher is D. Two notes higher is E.

8We also use Middle C written in the G-clef.
One note lower is B. Two notes lower is A.

4. Tips for reading notes

In order to read ledger lines faster, it’s handy to count the number of lines.
When studying a piece of music with a lot of ledger lines, it’s always handy to write the name of notes next to them.

5. Exercise: learn to read all notes

Note Reading exercise 6a: practise reading all notes with ledger line.

Note Reading exercise 6b: practise reading all notes with ledger lines with time limit.