LEARNING THE NOTES ON THE 4TH AND 3RD STRINGS

LEARNING THE NOTES ON THE 4TH AND 3RD STRINGS by using the octave fingering shown in figure below left.

With the 6th string as the root, you can identify the notes on the 4th string: The 3rd finger is playing the same note as the first finger, only an octave higher.

The same shape can also be applied to the 5th string to give the location of notes on the 3rd string as shown in figure below right.

LEARNING THE NOTES ON THE 2ND STRING (and checking your knowledge of the 1st string)

Because of the way the guitar is tuned (i.e., in imperfect intervals), we have to use a slightly different shape to play octaves on the 4th and 2nd strings, as well as the 3rd and 1st strings.

You could use a different pattern for playing octaves from the 5th string to the 2nd string, where the 1st finger is playing the octave to the 3rd finger. This method assumes that you already know the 5th string notes.

Check Your Knowledge

Set a slow metronome and call out any note at random. Play that note on each string, starting with the 6th and working down, on each click of the metronome.

If you miss one note or hit a wrong note, start again until you play all six locations of that note correctly.

You will know immediately if you have hit a wrong note because your ear will be tuned in to the note you started with.

When you can do this comfortably with any note, speed up the pace a little. Start off with the easy ones first (A, E, G, etc.) and then try to use the accidentals with both the sharp and flat names (Bb, G#, F#, etc.).

Open strings can be used, as can the notes on the 12th fret, although try not to rely on them as a solution every time; that would be too easy.

NOTE: This is NOT a speed test! Your mind will work more efficiently if you stick to a moderate tempo and practice this exercise for no more than 10 minutes.