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How to Learn Piano Music Above & Below the Grand Staff

When music students are learning piano music, they sometimes focus on the notes that are located on the grand staff but neglect the notes that lie above and below the staff. The notes above the grand staff are very high in pitch, and the ones below the staff are very low. Many pieces of music use these notes, so it is important to learn them as well. Once you learn the patterns of notes that are written beyond the staff lines, you'll be able to play more piano pieces.

Things You'll Need

  • Sheet music
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look for a note that is resting on top of the top staff line in the treble clef. Since the top staff line is high F, this note is high G.

    • 2

      Look for a note that is just above high G and has one line through it. This note is high A.

    • 3

      Look for other notes above the treble clef lines. They will progress in order as stated in the previous steps. For instance, high B will have one ledger line just below it, and the C above high C will have one ledger line below it and one through it. The other notes, as they continue to rise, will be either just above a ledger line or above a ledger line with another ledger line through the body of the note.

    • 4

      Look for a note that is just below the bottom line of the bass clef. Since the bottom line is G, this note will be F.

    • 5

      Look for a note that is just below F and has a ledger line through it. This is E. The notes that continue below E will do so in the same pattern as the notes above the treble clef. They will alternate between resting on top of a line and having a ledger line through them, and they will follow the musical alphabet pattern of A, B, C, D, E, F and G in descending order.

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