Being 2nd Isn’t bad: 2nd Position Guitar Reading

Reading Guitar Notes in the 2nd Position

Reading guitar notes in the 2nd position on the guitar will not have any open string notes for these examples. You will see open string notes like E, B, G, D, and A. These notes will be played on the fifth and fourth frets.

If you need to review the notes in the open position, I will include my link here: reading notes in open position.

The second position is where your index finger rests on the second fret of each string, as in playing the F# on the sixth or first string. It also covers any notes in the first fret areas on each string.

Along with the first finger is the responsibility of the fourth finger, which takes care of any notes along the sixth fret region. For example, playing the Bb on the sixth or first strings.

The Natural Notes

Below is a picture of the natural notes. Start on the lowest string, G and A notes played with the second finger and fourth fingers. For B, C, and D, use fingers one, two, and four. Also, do the same for string four E, F, and G notes.

On the third string, for notes A, B, and C, use fingers one, three, and four. Next, on string two, shift up one fret for notes D, E, and F, use fingers one, three, and four.

Lastly, on string one for G and A, use fingers one and three.

All Six Strings

The next picture is from the first fret to the sixth fret. This covers all the natural notes used for playing in the second position.

Some notes are doubled, as in the C on the second string and C played on the third string, fifth fret.

Also, check out the F note on the second string and the F on the first string.

It is good to know both locations. For example, if you play a Db on the second string, second fret, going to a C note, it might be better to continue down the same string.

Or, if you are on the B note, third string, fourth fret, going to C, you might want to stay on the same string and play the C note on the third string, fifth fret.

Start with the Sixth String

Sixth String Notes

Try this one-string exercise for the sixth string. Practice saying the notes as you play them.

For the first bar, we start with G just below two ledger lines. Play the G note with your second finger. The next note is A. It is on the second ledger line below the staff. Play the A note with your fourth finger.

That’s it, just G and A notes so far.

5th String Notes

On the 5th string, we start with B, C, and D, as in the beginning measure. B is just below the first ledger line, C is on the first ledger line, and D is below the staff before the first line.

For B, C, and D, use fingers one, two, and four.

4th String Notes

The fourth string notes will be E on the lowest line, second fret, first finger. Followed by F in the first space above the E line, third fret, use your second finger. G is the third note, located on the second line from the bottom. On the fretboard’s fifth fret, use your fourth finger to play the G note.

For E, F, and G, use fingers one, two, and four.

3rd String Notes

Third string notes are A in the second lowest space, second fret first finger, B on the middle line, fourth fret third finger, and C in the third space from the bottom, fourth finger fifth fret.

For notes A, B, and C, use fingers one, three, and four.

2nd String Notes

Three natural notes on the second string for position two. The D note is located on the fourth line from the bottom of the staff and on the third fret. The E note located on the fourth space from the bottom is on the fifth fret. Last, the F note, which is on the top line.

For notes D, E, and F, use fingers one, three, and four.

1st String Notes

On the first string, we have G and A. G is on the top of the staff, third fret. Since we shifted to the second string, stay in position and use your first finger on the first string. Continuing with the A note, use your third finger.

Putting it All Together

Helpful Reminders

Remember to start slow. Just like learning in the open position, it will take time to memorize the notes on the guitar in the 2nd position. Take one string at a time, say the notes while playing, and try using the suggested fingering.

Once again, reading guitar notes in the 2nd position requires the 1st and 6th fret notes, but is primarily focused on frets 2, 3, 4, and 5. Use fingers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Fingers 1 and 4 will carry the weight of stretching and playing the notes on the 1st and 6th frets.

Practice what you learned

Practice the included PDF of “Introduction to the Second Position”.

As always, have fun practicing!