Low Notes In First Position

There are seven natural low-octave notes located on the first three frets of the low E, A, and D strings. These notes can be played by using the fretting-hand fingers that correspond directly to the fret numbers:

Fret 1: Index, Fret 2: Middle, Fret 3: Ring, Fret 4/5: Pinky.

Learn how to identify these notes on the treble clef staff, find their locations on the fretboard, and apply rhythms to play melodies

1 | Low Notes On The Staff


The lines below the staff spell the word FACE. Use this and the musical alphabet to identify the low notes.
Practice Identifying Low Notes →

2 | Note Locations

Find the low notes in first position by using the chromatic scale and the musical alphabet.
Practice Locating Low Notes→

3 | Say & Play


Apply your knowledge of the low notes in treble clef and their locations on the fretboard by saying and playing notes on the guitar.
Open Score →

4 | Melodies

Add rhythm to notes:
1. IDENTIFY PITCHES
2. CLAP/PLAY THE RHYTHM
3. COUNT/PLAY WITHOUT TIME
4. COUNT/PLAY WITH STEADY BEAT.

Open Score →

5 | Transcription enrichment


Use your ear to find the pitches of the recording in the this example.
Open Score →


7 | Mystery Songs enrichment


Figure out the song title by reading these famous low now licks.
Open Score →

6 | Composition enrichment


Write your own melody to #8. Use repetition to make your melody memorable.
Open Score →