ledger notes

[butterfly79]

I have been playing for 7mnths and so far things are going well. I just started doing theory studies and I am having a hard time learning the ledger notes, all the other notes I know but not these ones. Does anyone have a way of memorizing/learning these notes?

[birba]

What are ledger notes?

[bach_rach_and_roll]

Ledger lines show the notes beyond the range of the staff. In the treble clef, the first ledger line above the staff is an A, a line drawn above the G that is the highest space on the staff. It is a third above the F that is the last line of the staff. The lines look very much like the one that notates the C in between the clefs. In the bass clef, the first ledger line below the staff is a B, one third bellow the lowest line in the staff (G).
 
To read ledger lines, the best way is to do it by intervals when you're starting out. In time, you will learn to recognize them by memory without counting down in thirds. When you have been reading for a long time, you will learn to glance at the key signature and read purely by intervals, but this will come after many years of playing: don't worry if you can't do it now.

[birba]

Oh.  Well, I've been at the piano now,  for more than I dare to say, and I still have to count the lines beyond high g and below low f...

[quantum]

One of my teachers - who is a specialist in contemporary music - writes out the names of those notes she has trouble reading at a glance.  Don't be discouraged. 

[birba]

Oh, be assured.  I'm not!

[bach_rach_and_roll]

Sometimes I misread, too, and I've been playing for 11 years, teaching for two (I'm just graduated from high school)

It's a matter of patience and knowing when to take breaks

[mrsmusic13]

Does ACE (the lines above the treble clef staff) and ACE (the lines below the bass clef staff) help at all?

Do you read intervals(as was suggested)? or are you more of a I need to memorize these notes person? Do you count from guide notes, Treble G, Bass, F, Middle C?

Can you say your music alphabet backwards really fast? (not many students of any age can).

Do you have a picture of the grand staff in one of your books. Put it on the music stand, look at it and say and play every note. Think of the grand staff as one thing instead of two separate things.

Are you a pattern person? Notice the pattern of notes on lines and notes in spaces. Treble G is on the second line. The G that is an octave above sits in the space above the treble staff. A is in the second space. The A that is an octave above is on the very first ledger line above the treble clef staff.

Have you played any note naming games online? Good for all ages