Music JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes – Week 4

Subject: Music

Class: JSS 1

Term: Second Term

Week: 4

Age: 10–12 years

Topic: Ledger Lines

Sub-topic: Understanding and Using Ledger Lines

Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define ledger lines in music notation.
2. Explain the purpose of ledger lines.
3. Identify notes that require ledger lines.
4. Write notes using ledger lines correctly.
5. Differentiate between notes on the staff and those on ledger lines.

Keywords

• Ledger Lines
• Stave/Staff
• Musical Notes
• Octave
• High and Low Notes

Set Induction

The teacher will display a musical staff on the board and ask students to identify the highest and lowest notes on the staff.

Entry Behavior

Students have learned about musical notes and their placement on the five-line staff.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Staff notation chart
• Flashcards of musical notes on ledger lines
• Manuscript paper for practical exercises

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Students have already been introduced to the staff and the rules of writing musical notes. This lesson will extend their knowledge to notes that extend beyond the five-line staff.

Embedded Core Skills

• Observation Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Creativity

---

Lesson Content

1. Introduction to Ledger Lines

• The staff (or stave) consists of five lines and four spaces, but some notes go higher or lower than these lines.
• Ledger lines are short extra lines placed above or below the staff to accommodate these notes.

---

2. Purpose of Ledger Lines

• Most musical instruments and voices have more notes than the five-line staff can display.
• Ledger lines extend the range of the staff.
• They allow us to write notes that are too high or too low for the normal staff.

---

3. Rules of Using Ledger Lines

1. Ledger lines are always written parallel to the staff lines.
2. A note on a ledger line is drawn exactly through the line, like notes on the main staff.
3. Notes above the staff have stems pointing down, while notes below have stems pointing up.
4. Each new ledger line follows the musical alphabet sequence (A–G).
5. Only a few ledger lines (usually up to four) are used at a time to avoid confusion.

---

4. Examples of Notes on Ledger Lines

• Middle C (C4) is the first ledger line note below the treble clef staff.
• In the bass clef, Middle C is the first ledger line note above the staff.
• Higher ledger line notes in the treble clef: A5, B5, C6, etc.
• Lower ledger line notes in the bass clef: E2, D2, C2, etc.

---

Evaluation

Answer the following questions:

1. What are ledger lines used for?
   a) To write lyrics
   b) To extend the staff for higher or lower notes
   c) To separate notes
   d) To indicate tempo

2. How many lines does a normal music staff have?
   a) 4
   b) 5
   c) 6
   d) 7

3. Which note is commonly found on a ledger line below the treble clef?
   a) F#
   b) C4 (Middle C)
   c) G4
   d) E5

4. A ledger line is ____.
   a) A note’s tail
   b) A short extra line for notes above or below the staff
   c) A line that separates beats
   d) A type of clef

5. How many ledger lines can be used at a time before music becomes difficult to read?
   a) 2
   b) 4
   c) 6
   d) 8

6. Notes above the staff usually have stems ____.
   a) Pointing up
   b) Pointing down
   c) No stems
   d) Curved

7. Which note sits on the first ledger line above the bass clef?
   a) C4 (Middle C)
   b) D5
   c) G3
   d) B2

8. What happens if too many ledger lines are used?
   a) The music becomes clearer
   b) The music becomes harder to read
   c) The tempo increases
   d) The notes disappear

9. What is the function of a stem on a ledger line note?
   a) To indicate time signature
   b) To show note duration
   c) To show instrument type
   d) To indicate pitch

10. Which instrument commonly plays ledger line notes?
    a) Guitar
    b) Piano
    c) Violin
    d) All of the above

---

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)

1. What are ledger lines?

   • They are short lines added above or below the staff to extend the musical range.

2. Why do we use ledger lines?

   • To write higher or lower notes that do not fit on the regular staff.

3. How many lines are usually in a music staff?

   • Five lines and four spaces.

4. What is the most common ledger line note in treble clef?

   • Middle C (C4).

5. How many ledger lines are usually used in standard notation?

   • Up to four, to keep music readable.

6. What happens if too many ledger lines are used?

   • The music becomes difficult to read.

7. Where is Middle C in the bass clef?

   • It is on the first ledger line above the staff.

8. Do all instruments use ledger lines?

   • Yes, especially piano, violin, and flute.

9. Do ledger lines change note values?

   • No, they only indicate pitch, not duration.

10. Are ledger lines connected to the main staff?

    • No, they are short and separate from the five-line staff.

---

Assessment (Evaluation Questions)

1. Define ledger lines in music notation.
2. Explain why ledger lines are used.
3. Write the Middle C note using a ledger line in both treble and bass clefs.
4. How can too many ledger lines affect music readability?
5. Differentiate between a normal note on the staff and a ledger line note.

---

Conclusion

The teacher will review students’ answers, provide corrections, and give feedback on their performance.

---