Music staff paper generator

A quick reminder of the stave

Each stave has five lines and four spaces. Notes sit on lines or in spaces, and ledger lines extend the range above or below. The gap between the lines, sometimes called stave size, decides how big every note head, clef and accidental will be.

Which spacing to choose

Beginners, young pupils and anyone writing theory exercises usually do best with the six large staves option. Wider gaps leave room to draw round note heads clearly, write letter names underneath and add fingering without cramming.

Experienced writers tend to prefer twelve staves on A4 or ten on US Letter. That is closer to printed sheet music, fits more bars on a page and suits composing, arranging or transcribing where you want to see a whole phrase at once.

The A5 option with eight staves is a neat size for a practice notebook or a quick sketch of a melody.

Useful things to write on it

• Theory homework: scales, intervals and key signatures.
• Short melodies you want to remember before they slip away.
• Simple arrangements for a school group or family ensemble.
• Dictation practice, writing down a tune you hear.

Printing and pencil tips

Print at Actual size so every stave is evenly spaced. A soft pencil such as a 2B makes solid note heads easier to fill and rub out. If you plan to photocopy your finished manuscript, choose black lines rather than grey.