Notes of the 5th & 6th Strings

So now we know notes across 4 strings of the guitar. Now it's time to learn notes on the last 2 strings. On the 5th string, A is the open note, B is at the 2nd fret & C is at the 3rd fret. On the 6th string, E is the open note, with F at the 1st fret & G at the 3rd fret. Just like the first string. Here is an exercise using the 5th & 6th strings:

This is a fun exercise. Or to me it is anyway. I arranged this so that the patterns sound similar to some familiar melodies. And now that we know 17 notes across all six strings, we can play some melodies that we know. So let's go over the notes we've learned. From the 6th string to the 1st, we have E, F G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F & G. Notice how they repeat over & over. E comes up 3 times. Every time it repeats is called an octave, because it occurs 8 notes above the last one (or 8 notes below, depending on which way you're going). We have a number of octaves in the 17 notes we've learned so far. See if you can spot them all. Here's a hint: F also comes up 3 times. So that's a low F, at the 1st fret of the 6th string, plus 2 more at one octave intervals.

The main thing we now know is the C scale. Embedded within these 17 notes is the sequence C, D, E, F, G, A, B,& C. That's the C major scale. In the next lesson, we'll be practicing the C scale. You're welcome to go ahead & try it. Just play all the notes you know from the 3rd fret of the 5th string up to the 1st fret of the 2nd string. And there it is. The C major scale. Isn't that cool? Here's what the notation looks like:

And let's learn a new chord: F major. It's the first of the barre chords we will learn. They're called barre chords because you make a "bar" with your first finger. Just lay the flat side of your first finger across all 6 strings at the 1st fret. Now try to sound all the notes. It's hard to do, isn't it? Don't worry. It'll get a lot easier as time goes along. Now for the F major chord:

Notice that the #1 shows up on three different strings. That's because we're barring with the 1st finger at the 1st fret. Strum the F major chord. Keep strumming until you can sound all 6 notes. Try switching from F major to C major & G major. You'll build up strength in your hand by doing this.

F is a very popular chord among songwriters. It's a comfortable key for many singers to sing in. Listen to "The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band. Or "Losing My Religion" by REM. Both of those songs start on F major. Neat huh?

Next time we'll work on the C major scale & play some chord patterns with F major. Rock on!