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.

 

notenvoorbeeld


 

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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld


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.

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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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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.

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld

 


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

 

notenvoorbeeld

notenvoorbeeld


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.

Get the full course