Figure 2.5

Pitch Placement on the Grand Staff

Observe the Grand Staff. Note that pitches of the same letter name occur
throughout the system. Individual tones are specifically recognized as such. Pitches
having the same letter name but separated by range are recognized as pitch-classes.
Therefore the note one ledger line below the Treble Staff is designated as the pitch
“C” (or “Middle C”), but all notes so labeled constitute the pitch-class “C.”

Also, observe that ledger lines extending notes below Treble Clef may be written in
Bass Clef. Similarly, ledger lines extending notes above Bass Clef may be written in
Treble Clef. At times, it is more appropriate to write pitches using ledger lines,
rather than switching to another staff and clef. Exercise caution when writing or
labeling pitches that cross over “between” the staves.

Chapter 2 The Elements of Pitch:Sound, Symbol, and Tone

2.1 Pitch and Pitch-Class

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