Reading Guitar Music (Fretboard Positioning)

[f_medina]

I have played other instruments before so I know my way around when it comes to reading music. However, when reading guitar music, how can you tell what position on the fretboard you're supposed to be in to play the music correctly without looking at the tabs. Because most notes are available in most positions.

Thanks in advance:

Frank

[ketsueki15]

you know im suffering the same problem..Reading classical music isnt easy...My teacher said that there really is no way to tell but for you tomake the decision....not very much help..lol

[TheDirt]

I suggest playing in open position unless the situation demands otherwise when sight reading on the spot.

When you have a piece you want to memorize, picture the piece in your head, slowly try to play through it, and think "Would this note better be playing in another place?". Think chord shapes and positions for most non-contrapuntal music. For point/counterpoint, it's a bit tougher, but it's generally less notes than chordal music, so it's easier to find the optimal position.

[Azrael]

My teacher said that there really is no way to tell but for you tomake the decision....not very much help..lol

indeed - punch him in the face for been stupid. there is a way

the tonal range of a guitar is stringwise:

E - A - d - g - h - e'

The lowest note is E and the highest note (on a 24 fretter) is e''

On a side note - the guitar is a transposing instrument - that means it sounds one octave higher than it is notated.

The E is the note notated 3 lines below the stave.

lemmy try to display this (this should be a stave)


-O- e'' (12th fret high e-string or similar note on different string)
---
---
||------------------------||
|| O || e' (Open high e-string or similar note on different string)
||------------------------||
|| ||
||------------------------||
|| ||
||------------------------||
|| ||
||------O-----------------|| e (d string 2nd fret or similar note on different string)

---
---
---
O E (Open low E-string)

(didnt notate the e'' though)

hope that helps.

[ketsueki15]

U missunderstood what I said.maybe because i didnt say it all lol but what i meant is that there really isnt a way to tell whether your supposed to play it at the 12th fret and higher or at the 7 th fret..Sure It could put a note at the twelth fret but then it could easly switch back all the way down to the first position with out telling you or stay in the twelth fret area..theres no real way to tell unless it says so..like havin the 8va symbol above it
for ex..the cleff will have a C note on it..well it doesnt tell you whether to play 3rd fret 2nd string C or to play the 7th fret 4th string..I know their the same note but if i were to play the same song at different positions..it might sound a little diff..well to me it would
Az..I will take his advice over yours considering hes been reading music longer than you have been alive

My little advice would be do what sounds good to you

[Azrael]

dude - read what i wrote and read it carefully. it clearly says "Open high e-string or similar note on different string".
sure you can put a chord or notes of a chord on different positions if feel more comfortable with it. but the notes and the flow of the song still limit you to a certain area on the fretboard. its not like there are 100 different ways to play a certain piece.

[ketsueki15]

oooo k sorry about that

[f_medina]

dude - read what i wrote and read it carefully. it clearly says "Open high e-string or similar note on different string".
sure you can put a chord or notes of a chord on different positions if feel more comfortable with it. but the notes and the flow of the song still limit you to a certain area on the fretboard. its not like there are 100 different ways to play a certain piece.


Azreal, given the fact that you're an instructor, I can pose the question to you. I don't understand the arguement that you had with the other guy, however, I'm still a little lost. How can I tell when to play in which position. I know you tried to illustrate it, however, I'm new to this and I didn't understand it well (Sorry). Can you please tell me in lehman's terms.

Thanks in advance:

Frank

[ketsueki15]

you really cant unless it says so...like dirt said use your ear and what soudns good to you..or listen to the track before you play it