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Open Strings and First-Position Note Map on the Fretboard

Capítulo 2

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

First Position (Frets 0–4): How the Map Works

In first position, your left hand stays close to the nut and uses frets 0–4: 0 (open string), 1, 2, 3, 4. Each fret raises the pitch by one semitone (half step). Two semitones make a whole step.

Natural notes are A B C D E F G. Between most natural notes there is a black-key “gap” that can be named as an accidental: sharp (♯) raises by one semitone, flat (♭) lowers by one semitone. On the guitar, the same fret can be named differently depending on context (enharmonic): G♯ = A♭, D♯ = E♭, etc.

Open Strings (low to high)

Memorize the open strings in order: E–A–D–G–B–E. These are your “zero-fret anchors” for building the first-position note map.

String	Name	Open note
6	Low E	E
5	A	A
4	D	D
3	G	G
2	B	B
1	High E	E

String-by-String Note Map (Frets 0–4)

Read each chart left to right: open string (0) then frets 1–4. Say the note names out loud while you play them. Keep your left-hand fingers assigned in first position: 1=index (fret 1), 2=middle (fret 2), 3=ring (fret 3), 4=pinky (fret 4).

6th String (Low E): E up to G♯/A♭

6th string (E):  0     1      2     3      4
                E   F( )   F♯/G♭   G   G♯/A♭

Mini-melody (one string): play slowly, even tone, alternate fingers i–m in the right hand if possible.

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6th string only: 0–1–2–3–4–3–2–1–0
Notes:           E–F–F♯–G–G♯–G–F♯–F–E

5th String (A): A up to C♯/D♭

5th string (A):  0     1      2     3      4
                A  A♯/B♭   B     C   C♯/D♭

5th string only: 0–2–4–3–1–0
Notes:           A–B–C♯–C–A♯/B♭–A

4th String (D): D up to F♯/G♭

4th string (D):  0     1      2     3      4
                D  D♯/E♭   E     F   F♯/G♭

4th string only: 0–1–3–4–2–0
Notes:           D–D♯–F–F♯–E–D

3rd String (G): G up to B

3rd string (G):  0     1      2     3     4
                G  G♯/A♭   A   A♯/B♭  B

3rd string only: 0–2–4–3–2–1–0
Notes:           G–A–B–A♯/B♭–A–G♯/A♭–G

2nd String (B): B up to D♯/E♭

2nd string (B):  0     1     2      3      4
                B   C    C♯/D♭   D   D♯/E♭

2nd string only: 0–1–2–3–4–3–1–0
Notes:           B–C–C♯–D–D♯–D–C–B

1st String (High E): E up to G♯/A♭

1st string (E):  0     1      2     3      4
                E   F( )   F♯/G♭   G   G♯/A♭

1st string only: 0–3–2–1–0–1–2–3–4
Notes:           E–G–F♯–F–E–F–F♯–G–G♯

Accidentals in First Position: Quick Recognition

In frets 0–4 you will frequently meet these accidentals. Practice spotting them as “the note between two naturals.”

F♯/G♭: 6th string fret 2, 1st string fret 2, 4th string fret 4
G♯/A♭: 6th string fret 4, 3rd string fret 1, 1st string fret 4
A♯/B♭: 5th string fret 1, 3rd string fret 3
C♯/D♭: 5th string fret 4, 2nd string fret 2
D♯/E♭: 4th string fret 1, 2nd string fret 4

Mini-Melodies: From One String to Two Strings

Start with single-string reading so your brain links written pitch to a single physical location. Then combine two strings while keeping everything in frets 0–4.

Two-string melody A (strings 2 and 1 only)

Goal: switch strings cleanly without shifting position.

Notes:  B  C  D  C  B  A  G  A  B
Play:   2nd:0 1 3 1 0   1st:0 3 0   2nd:0
Fret:      0 1 3 1 0        0 3 0      0

Two-string melody B (strings 4 and 3 only)

Goal: feel the difference between adjacent strings while keeping the same left-hand area.

Notes:  D  E  F  E  D  G  A  B  A  G
Play:   4th:0 2 3 2 0   3rd:0 2 4 2 0
Fret:      0 2 3 2 0        0 2 4 2 0

Same Written Pitch, Different String Options (First Position)

Many pitches exist in more than one place within frets 0–4. Choosing an efficient option can reduce string crossings, avoid awkward fingerings, or improve tone.

Pitch	Option 1	Option 2	Why you might choose it
E	6th string open	4th string fret 2	Lower bass vs. mid-range; avoid open string if you want more control
F	6th string fret 1	1st string fret 1	Same note name, very different register; choose for melody placement
G	3rd string open	1st string fret 3	Keep melody on top string vs. use open 3rd for resonance
A	5th string open	3rd string fret 2	Stay on one string for a line vs. use open bass support
B	2nd string open	3rd string fret 4	Avoid open string for consistent tone; or avoid pinky if needed
C	2nd string fret 1	5th string fret 3	Melody on treble vs. bass-line option
D	4th string open	2nd string fret 3	Choose bass resonance vs. keep melody on 2nd string

Guided Exercises: Build the Map and Choose Efficient Fingerings

Exercise 1: Say-and-Play (one string at a time)

For each string, play frets 0–1–2–3–4–3–2–1–0. While playing, say the note names. Then repeat, but say only the accidentals when they occur (for example: “E, F, F-sharp, G…”).

Do not rush: aim for perfect note naming.
Keep fingers close to the strings; avoid lifting high.

Exercise 2: Random Note Targets (first position only)

Set a timer for 3 minutes. Cycle through these targets and find them quickly without shifting beyond fret 4:

Find all E’s you can in first position (different strings/locations).
Find all A’s you can in first position.
Find all C’s you can in first position.
Find all F♯/G♭ you can in first position.

Rule: each time you find a target note, play it twice with steady tone, then move to a different location for the same pitch (if available).

Exercise 3: Choose the Best String (same pitch, two options)

For each pair below, play the note in both locations, then choose the option that feels more efficient for the given instruction.

G: 3rd string open or 1st string fret 3. Instruction: “Keep the melody on the top string.”
A: 5th string open or 3rd string fret 2. Instruction: “Avoid open strings for consistent tone.”
B: 2nd string open or 3rd string fret 4. Instruction: “Avoid using the pinky.”
D: 4th string open or 2nd string fret 3. Instruction: “Stay on the 2nd string for the whole phrase.”

Write your choices in a practice notebook as short answers, e.g., G = 1st string fret 3.

Exercise 4: Micro Phrases with a Choice Point

In each phrase, one note can be played in two places. Try both solutions and decide which is smoother (fewer string crossings, better hand comfort).

Phrase A notes:  A  B  C  B  A
Option 1 (mostly 2nd string): 2nd: (A=?) 0 1 0 (A=?)
Option 2 (use 3rd string A):  3rd:2  3rd:4  2nd:1  3rd:4  3rd:2
Where is A?
- A can be 5th string open (too low for this phrase), 3rd string fret 2, or 2nd string fret 10 (not allowed).
So in first position, choose: A = 3rd string fret 2.

Phrase B notes:  D  E  F  G  F  E  D
Try 1 (single string idea): 4th string 0–2–3–?–3–2–0
Try 2 (keep G as open 3rd): 4th:0–2–3 then 3rd:0 then 4th:3–2–0
Where is G?
- G can be 3rd string open or 4th string fret 5 (not allowed) or 1st string fret 3.
In first position, choose between: 3rd string open or 1st string fret 3 (different register).

Exercise 5: First-Position Note Map Quiz (self-check)

Answer without the guitar first, then verify by playing.

What note is 2nd string, fret 2?
Where can you play C in first position (list string+fret)?
What note is 4th string, fret 4?
Find two different places for E in first position (string+fret).
What note is 5th string, fret 1?

Now answer the exercise about the content:

In first position (frets 0–4), which location produces the pitch C♯/D♭?

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C♯/D♭ appears in first position at 2nd string fret 2 (and also at 5th string fret 4). The other options are different accidentals: 4th string fret 1 is D♯/E♭, and 3rd string fret 3 is A♯/B♭.