Until now, only the notes on frets 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been used and this constitutes the first position, i.e. meaning that the first finger plays the notes on the first fret (F on !# C on @f G# on # etc.). Position can therefore be considered taken from whichever fret the first finger is controlling. When the first finger shifts upwards one fret (F# on !, C# on @, A on # etc.), this then constitutes the second position. This shift enables the fourth finger to comfortably reach the new notes on the fifth fret as shown below.
Position is normally indicated by Roman numerals, i.e. second position = II.
The Bar or half Bar substitutes for a position as it automatically indicates the use of the first finger on that particular fret.
Apart from the new note A on fifth fret !. all of these notes have been studied in the first position, but as has been explained in the section on unisons, the same note (in pitch) can be found on the next lower string by moving up the fretboard, 5 frets on ^%$ and @,4 frets on #.