2nd and 3rd Strings
The important thing to realize about the 2nd and 3rd strings is that they are tuned to a major 3rd, not a perfect 4th (G - B is a major third). This changes intervals shapes as well as how one plays scales between the strings, compared to all the other pairs of strings
Contents
PreReqs
Intervals between 2nd and 3rd Strings
The M3 tuning between strings means the interval shapes we learned in the last lesson will be a little different. Basically, all you have to remember is that a major third is one semi-tone lower than a perfect fourth. Which means we need to move upwards one fret on the 2nd string to get the same intervals on the 2nd and 3rd strings. Let's do a quick example:
3rds
B--1--3--5--6--8--10-12- G--2--4--5--7--9--10-12-
C--0--2--4--5--7--9--11- G--2--4--5--7--9--10-12-
Here are the third intervals in C major on the 2nd and 3rd strings. Both sets of tab contain the same notes, but in the 2nd example we've tuned the 2nd string a semi-tone up to C, so we get the normal perfect fourth interval between strings. Notice the only difference is that all the numbers on the 2nd string are +1 in the first tab. I recommend playing the third intervals as follows:
| Maj 3 | Min 3 |
|---|---|
|-|r| |-|m| |
|i|-| |-|m| |
This allows you to always hold down both your middle and index fingers. You just add the ring finger for the major third.
4ths and 5ths
Now let's look at the 4th and 5th intervals:
| P4 | tt | P5 |
|---|---|---|
|-|m| |i|-| |
|-|-|r| |i|-|-| |
|-|-|-|p| |i|-|-|-| |
Again, the 2nd string is just one step higher; however, it certainly takes a while to get used to. It's easy to identify fingering patterns with sounds.
4th intervals
B-1--3--5--6--8--10-12-13-
G-0--2--4--5--7--9--10-12-
tt
5th intervals
B-3--5--6--8--10-12-13-15-
G-0--2--4--5--7--9--10-12-
tt
Scales between 2nd and 3rd Strings
Now let's look at a scale. Let's play B to G on the 1st and 2nd strings:
E----------0--1--3- B-0--1--3---------- B C D E F G
And let's play those same exact notes on the 2nd and 3rd strings:
B----------5--6--8- G-4--5--7---------- B C D E F G
We play a h-w pattern on both strings in both cases, but when going from the 2nd to 3rd string, we shift one fret upwards. My advice is to do a positional shift. Let's take a look at this in a larger context:
E----------------------------------0--1--3--5- B-------------------------0--1--3------------- G-------------------0--2---------------------- D----------0--2--3---------------------------- A-0--2--3------------------------------------- E--------------------------------------------- A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A E-------------------------------------1--3--5- B----------------------------1--3--5---------- G-------------------0--2--4------------------- D----------0--2--3---------------------------- A-0--2--3------------------------------------- E--------------------------------------------- A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A
Both examples play the exact same notes, except the 2nd one shifts from open to first position between the 3rd and 2nd strings. Notice how when performing the shift, we get 3 notes per string. This is a concept we will revisit later, but many speed players prefer this because it creates more balance when moving up or down the scale through the 2nd and 3rd strings. It is also easier to derive scales this way - each string will be either a w-w, w-h, or h-w pattern of 3 notes. Without the shift, we get 2 notes on either the 2nd or 3rd string, and 3 notes on the other. This disrupts the order of the patterns across strings. In the 2nd example, we see w-h, w-h, w-w, w-w, and w-w patterns for each string. In the first tab we have w-h, w-h, w, h-w, and h-w patterns, then a final stretch/shift to the high A. And again, we may have 2 notes on the G string in this case, but in other cases it would have 3 notes and the B string has 2.
Note: the figures above play an A minor scale. Notice that it's the same notes as C Major. We'll look more into this later on.
C Major notes on 3rd String
G-0--2--4--5--7--9--10-12- G A B C D E F G
Here are the C Major notes on the G string. Play each group of 3 notes per position as we did in previous exercises, up and down the string.
Homework
Play some intervals on the 1st and 2nd string, then try to play those same intervals on the 2nd and 3rd strings. Practice the interval exercises above. Once you are comfortable with the fingering, play in time with a metronome and try to increase your speed.
Play all the tab on the page. Start without a metronome, then use it and start at a slow tempo and work up speed. Practice descending as well as ascending.
Play groups of 3 notes from the C Major scale up and down the 3rd string, in time with a metronome. Try to learn all the note names.