Ledger lines are tiny, horizontal lines that appear above or below the staff. Since the staff only captures nine intervals, ledger lines are needed to document those notes that exist in the piano's upper and lower registers. When it is necessary to write extremely low or high notes, the terms 8va or 8vb are written above or below the notes, respectively. See FIGURE 3-10. For example, 8va tells the pianist that he or she must play (or transpose) the music exactly one octave above what is written, while 8vb tells the pianist to play the music exactly one octave lower than written. These terms help the pianist read with greater ease.

FIGURE 13-10: 8va and 8vb

Ledger lines are important, especially the ones used to represent middle C. In FIGURE 2-3, the keyboard layout, you learned where middle C is situated on the piano. Now, let's look at middle C on the treble and bass clefs. (See FIGURES 3-11 and 3-12). Notice that middle C hangs below the staff in the treble clef and above the staff in the bass clef.

FIGURE 3-11: Middle C on the Treble Clef

FIGURE 3-12: Middle C on the Bass Clef

We can also use ledger lines for higher or lower pitches. FIGURE 3-13 shows the grand staff with three ledger lines above and three ledger lines below each staff. If you wish to write notes lower or higher than this, it is better to use 8va or 8vb.

FIGURE 3-13: Extended Ledger Lines