The Little Guitar Book That Could: First Position (Fretboard Forensics)

This LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD showcases the stock C A G E D guitar chord and scale sequence exclusively in the FIRST POSITION, for all to see, use and reference. But, before thumbing through this book, there's some subject matter that the guitarist might need a brief refresh of...even though he or she may have played for years. For example, in this book, six is the exact number of consecutive frets involved in the FIRST POSITION (the open strings count as one fret) and each guitar position spans a full two octaves plus a perfect fourth when in standard tuning. Also, the second and third fingers on the fretting hand remain stationary in their respective frets, initially, as their stationary qualities allow the fourth finger to stretch that additional fret. But what of the first finger? And here, before we go any further, one must understand something quite important; and that is this…when playing guitar in the FIRST POSITION there isn't a first finger stretch. There is in every other guitar position, yes, but here, the open strings take care of that stretch making it an exception, the FIRST POSITION is, to the rule. And this exception, just by chance, makes certain chords and scales much easier to play. It is very important that guitarists understand this. It is also important that the guitarist understand that a very useful picking pattern occurs down by the sound hole or bridge, where the picking hand resides. This pattern involves every other string and is best evidenced in the FIRST POSITION when the C A G E D main root note sequence is plucked alphabetically, starting with the G root on the first or thinnest guitar string. To discover it, start by picking the G there (first string, third finger); then A (third string, second finger); C (fifth string, third finger); D (second string, third finger); E (fourth string, second finger) and conclude with the G (sixth string, third finger). The one-three-five, two-four-six "every other string pattern" naturally fits the picking fingers on the hand and is looped, forwards or backwards (six-four-two, five-three-one) as the G root notes found on the first /sixth string(s) are deemed interchangeable. That said, there are also three musical terms that need some brief clarification for the purposes of THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD...those being main root notes, octaves and unisons. To start, main root notes are a specific set of root notes that fall or cluster together under the second and third fingers of the fretting hand. They are used to help orientate the finger work involved. Once the placement of each is learned in the FIRST POSITION, the attention then moves to their octaves. An octave is defined as the interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its own frequency. Some correctly call the interval a perfect octave, and in guitarland, octaves are usually “one string one fret away” from each other. This fact helps to memorize their location, however, occasionally, there will be two strings and or two frets involved. When two or more music notes happen to sound the same pitch, it is said they are in unison. In guitarland unison typically means “same note different string or fret”, and it is implied that the unison occurs in the current guitar position. So that’s it! THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD for the FIRST POSITION remains uncomplicated, is straightforward and super easy to use. Its "picture worth a thousand words" visual based format allows one to take full advantage of the fretboard material right away. You'll have fun discovering some fresh perspectives on the same old same old, while also adding some new twists to your own technique. THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD for the FIRST POSITION also contains generous amounts of manuscript, tablature and fretboard paper too. As always, thank you very kindly for including THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD in your repertoire of fretboard knowledge needs...Enjoy!

Meet the author Walter Klosowski “Kapowski”! In addition to writing books like this, Mr. “Kapowski” is a professional guitarist, composer and public school music educator. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Theory on scholarship with emphasis on classical guitar as well as a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory/Composition and Guitar Performance. He is also the recipient of the Piano Guild USA Sonatina Award as well as three NSFM piano federation competition pins. This book, THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD, formally introduces and explains the C A G E D shapes and how each fits into the FIRST POSITION. The material is presented in a special way as to provide technical clarity and practicality to an all too often obscured subject area, that of the inner workings of the guitar fretboard. Having worked in the print music industry for over ten years, the series was authored by “Kapowski” in direct response to the lack of printed scholarly materials that focus only on the guitar positions and position work, all of which is especially evident at the onset of instruction. Compared to other members of the string instrument family, such as the violin, viola, cello and bass, there is no real technical standard in place that guitarists readily go to for position work, and the materials that are available do not readily venture to explain that which is lies beyond the guitar’s FIRST POSITION. THE LITTLE GUITAR BOOK THAT COULD is one technical reference that perfectly checkmates this situation, and is very practical to use no matter what one’s technical level. Enjoy!