Note reading · Staff
Ledger lines
Ledger notes are where beginners stall. They are rare enough to stay unfamiliar, so they get their own drill.
Ledger lines
How to practise
- 01Count from the nearest staff line, not from middle C every time.
- 02Drill the two directions separately before mixing them; above and below fail for different reasons.
- 03Name the ledger line the note sits on, not just the note.
Common questions
How far down do the lower ledger lines go?
To G3, the open G string, two ledger lines below the staff. Further down is outside first position.
How are the upper ledger lines named?
The first line above the staff is A5, then C6, then E6; lines are A-C-E and spaces B-D-F. This drill only goes as far as B5, under and on that first line.
Why drill ledger lines on their own?
Notes inside the staff come up constantly and get plenty of practice. Ledger notes are rare, so mixed in with the rest they never become familiar.
Do they really appear in real music?
Often. Beginner pieces dip to G3 and C4 and reach above A5, which is exactly the ledger range.