Notes on the Third String
G Note
To play the note G, pick the open 3rd string. No fingers placed behind the frets).
A Note
To play the note A, place the second finger of your left hand just behind the second fret of the 3rd string.
The Octave
Although there are only seven different letters in the musical alphabet, it is possible to find higher and lower versions of them at various places on the fretboard. The distance between any note and its next higher or lower repeat is called an octave.
You already know two G notes–the open 3rd string and the third fret of the 1st string. These two G notes are an octave apart. The following example makes use of both these G notes.
The Dotted Half Note
A dot written after a note extends its value by half.
A dot after a half note means that you hold it for three beats.
To finish this lesson, here is an example which makes use of all the notes and note values you have learned so far. Remember to count as you play and be sure that all your notes are clear and even. Experiment with clean sounds and various amounts of overdrive.
