Ledger Lines

Ledger lines are notes that are situated above or below the stave.

If we look at the example below, the top stave of music has notes situated below the lines of the stave. The first note is a Bb. We work out the bottom line of the stave which is an E, then count back each line and space until we reach the note. So E, D, C then B. The second note is A. The bottom line of that stave is E, then count back each line and space. So E, D, C, B then A.


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The same applies with notes above the stave as in the example below. Work out the top line, which is an F. Then count each line and space up until we reach the note. The first note is D. So F, G, A, B, C then D. The second note is E. So F, G, A, B, C, D then E.


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If the ledger lines are above the stave, count the notes up. If the ledger lines are below the stave, count the notes down.

Baxter, Harry and Michael Baxter. The Right Way To Read Music. Tadworth: Right Way, 1993. Print, p. 9.