The Little Guitar Book That Could: Second Position

THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD, in an organized and thoughful way, sorts out the typical SECOND POSITION stock C A G E D guitar chord and scale shapes plainly for all to see and use. Before opening the book, there are some things the typical guitarist needs to understand...even though he or she may have played for years. For example, in this book the SECOND POSITION consists of a six consecutive fret area, and it spans a musical two octaves plus a perfect fourth. As for the fretting hand, the 2nd & 3rd fingers are to remain stationary in their respective fret area or "slot". It is a good idea to encourage the fingers to stay in these respective "slots" because it is their stationary qualities that allow the first and or fourth finger to stretch or slide that additional fret. And then there are the open strings, all of which continue to bring musical exceptions and opportunites to the SECOND POSITION, giving it it's unique flavor. When it comes to the open strings in this or any other position, guitarists naturally welcome and explore that which they musically provide.

Regarding the picking hand, a very useful and practical picking pattern occurs involving the strings as one plays near the sound hole. It coordinates with the 2nd & 3rd fingers on the fretting hand, and it is especially evident when the C A G E D sequence is placed in alphabetical order starting on the thinnest or first string. This A C D E G A picking pattern is very useful, easy to memorize and is featured in the pages of this book.

Lastly, some other music terms common to all musicians that need to be addressed for the purposes of THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD are what's called main root notes, octaves and unisons. What are main root notes?...In general, the main root notes represent a specific set or cluster of root notes that only fall under the 2nd & 3rd fingers of the fretting hand when in a guitar position. However, there are two specific instances where they are played using the first and fourth fingers while in that same position. And, just by chance, the SECOND POSITION contains both of them. These exceptions function just like any other shape, are easy to play and fit the fretting hand quite well just the same.

After learning about main root notes are, one then soon learns about their octaves and unisons. An octave is technically defined as the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency. Some correctly call the interval a "perfect octave". In guitarland, octaves are usually "one string one fret away" and for the most part that is true. However, occasionally, there are two strings and or two frets involved. Even so, the same concept applies in that there will be always be some string skipping to the technique.

And lastly, as for unisons, they are defined as when two or more music notes happen to sound the same pitch. In guitarland, it usually means "same note different string or fret" and the term also implies that this phnomonean occurs in the given guitar position.

Adopting these guitar and music facts into your own playing allows one to then take full advantage of the material presented in this book. You'll have fun rediscovering the freboard and thanks for choosing this volume in THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD series!...