Ledger lines

When a note goes beyond the five staff lines, short ledger lines extend the same sequence of scale degrees above or below the staff.

Do not restart the count

A ledger line does not change the reading rule. Imagine that the five lines continue beyond the staff, but draw only a short segment near the notehead.

Practice

• Find the nearest regular line.
• Continue counting through the spaces.
• Play the note and name it before checking again.

Start slowly and use your ear to check what you have read.