Ledger lines and ottava – free music theory course

The piano covers more than seven octaves, far more than one staff can hold. To write beyond it we add short segments of line above or below the staff: ledger lines. They work exactly like staff lines: notes alternate between "on the line" and "between two lines".

In the treble clef

M:4/4
L:1/4
K:C
C2 A,2 | F,2 z2 | a2 c'2 | e'2 z2 |]
w: C A F A C E

Below the staff: C (1 line), A (2 lines), F (3 lines). Above: A (1 line), C (2 lines), E (3 lines). Notice the symmetry: C and A come back at both ends.

In the bass clef

M:4/4
L:1/4
K:C clef=bass
E,,2 C,,2 | z4 | C2 E2 | z4 |]
w: E C C E

Below the bass staff: E (1 line), C (2 lines). Above: middle C (1 line), E (2 lines).

Foolproof method: read ledger lines in thirds. From one line to the next you always skip a letter: C → E → G → B… (upwards) or C → A → F → D (downwards). Just know the last line of the staff and "count the lines in threes". Never count dashes one by one while reciting every note!

8va, 8vb and 15ma

Beyond three or four ledger lines reading becomes painful. The notes are then written an octave lower with one of these signs:

8^va (ottava alta) with a dotted line above the notes: play an octave higher than written;
8^vb (ottava bassa) below the notes: play an octave lower;
15^ma (quindicesima): two octaves higher;
loco: back to written pitch (often the end of the dotted line is enough).

Careful: the 8va dotted line applies to every note under it, even those inside the staff. Check exactly where it ends.

Useful notes for pianists to memorise: the C above the treble staff (2 ledger lines, C6), and the two Cs of the bass clef (C2, two lines below the staff; C4, middle C).