John Nottle: >Could somebody answer a quite trivial but vexing question, please. >Does the stem of the note B natural, treble clef, middle line, go up or >down? Is there a rule determining such? I learned that this is an aesthetic choice, mainly determined by the stems of notes around it; whichever looks better on the page; whatever makes it easier to connect the stems for other 8th (or smaller notes). But I will be curious to read other replies. Bob K.