Reading ledger line notes can be one of the most challenging elementary music concepts for students to master. But ledger lines can quickly confuse students, because regular mnemonic devices don’t apply. This can cause a student to feel frustrated. That’s why it’s  important to have the right lesson to help your students master this tricky, but worthwhile, musical concept.

Why Are Ledger Line Notes So Tricky for Elementary Music Students?

Lack of Understanding

It is completely normal to have a handful of children who can recognize ledger line notes, and a larger majority who cannot. It is more than likely you have several students who take piano lessons and may recognize ledger line notes as an extension of those lessons. Other children may try to use mnemonic devices to solve or guess. It’s up to you to take the time to teach your elementary music students the proper method for identifying notes on ledger lines correctly.

Spatial Challenge

Elementary music students are still developing their spatial awareness.  It is not surprising that counting the correct number of lines and spaces can often be a struggle for young children.

Music Alphabet Confusion

Ensure your students know they’re continuing the music alphabet when counting forwards or backwards. A common mistake is restarting at “A” instead of continuing. For example, if a student starts on the 5th line F and needs to move to G, they might mistakenly restart at A, see below ⬇️

Another Common Mistake: Using Mnemonic Devices

A frequent error elementary music students make is trying to use familiar mnemonic devices like “Every Good Boy Does Fine” or “FACE” to identify ledger line notes. Remind students that these mnemonics only apply to notes on the main staff lines and spaces. Emphasize that, for ledger line notes, they need to continue counting alphabetically through the music alphabet instead.

Need for Visual Aids

It can be especially challenging for children to read ledger lines below the staff. Why? Because to do so, they need to count backwards in the alphabet.  Write A-B-C-D-E-F-G on the board to help simplify the process of identifying the note.

The Four-Step Method for Reading Ledger Line Notes

Using a step-by-step approach can help elementary students develop a strategy for reading ledger line notes. The four-step method is as follows:

1. Look at the note. Is it above the staff or below the staff? 
2. Is it a line note or a space note? 
3. If the note is ABOVE the staff, start on the 5th line, F, and count up alphabetically, going line to space. 
4. If the note is BELOW the staff, start on the 1st line, E, and count backwards alphabetically, going line to space.

Here are some amazing resources you can use to start teaching and practicing the four-step method in your music classroom tomorrow! ⬇️

• Ledger Lines – ANIMATED Google Slides!
• Steps to Reading Ledger Lines in Treble Clef (Freebie)
• Treble Clef Ledger Line Notes Boom Cards | Distance Music Learning
• Ledger Line Drills Worksheet Pack (Printable)
• Digital Resource for Reading Treble Clef Ledger Line Notes (Digital)
• Teaching Bundle for Ledger Line Treble Clef Notes

More Teaching Strategies for Ledger Line Notes

• Ask students to calculate how far they’ll have to count before starting steps 3-4. For example, students need to count 2 steps backwards from E to reach middle C in treble class (space, line). Encouraging  students to count on their fingers can help.
• Start by having students practice ledger line notes that are closest to the staff, for example, treble D (below staff) or treble G (above staff). Once the student masters solving a note closer to the staff, you can work outwards to higher and lower extending notes.
• Try using a colored pencil or highlighter to label each step forward or backwards on the ledger lines. This can be a helpful visual cue for elementary music students.

Looking for Free Elementary Music Resources?

The The Chamber of Freebies is a growing library of free resources for elementary music teachers. Sign up here to get FREE printable ledger line flashcards and more resources you can use in your classroom today! 👇