Level 2 (like Grade 2) · Unit 6 of 24

Ledger lines

Short extra lines for notes that are too high or too low for the stave.

By the end you will be able to:

• read notes on up to two ledger lines above and below the stave
• write notes that need ledger lines

Learn

Lines that stretch the stave

When a note is higher or lower than the stave, we add short ledger lines just for that note. They keep the same pattern: line, space, line, space. Each ledger line is the same distance apart as the stave lines.

Count from the stave

To read a ledger line note, start from the nearest stave note you know and count letters up or down, one per line or space. In the treble clef: one ledger line below is middle C, below that is B, then A on the second ledger line. Above the stave: G in the space, A on the first ledger line, then B and C.

Between the clefs

Low treble ledger notes and high bass ledger notes are the same sounds. Middle C, B and A below middle C can be written either way – composers choose whichever needs fewer ledger lines.

Your turn

Watch and listen, then practise with new questions every time – reading questions, and writing tasks you answer on the stave. Take the check when you are ready: 80% passes the unit.

Level 2 is like Grade 2 music theory. These are Classfern’s own levels, not an exam board’s. Questions are made and marked by rules in your browser.