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5th position reading


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5th position reading. By Sam Fisher

 

5th position is sonically equal to these open positions

 

E------A A# B C C# = A------A# B C C# D

B------E F F# G G# = E------F F# G G# A

G------C C# D D# E = B------C C# D D# E

D------G G# A A# B = G------G#A A# B C

A------D D# E F F# = D------D#E F F# G

E-------A A # B C C# = A------ A#BC C# D

 

 

^^^^^ ^^^^^^

5th position Open Position Equivalent

 

 

As you can see this opens up chromatically 2 octaves, meaning that you can play virtually any head in this 5th position box.

 

You get the open voicings too, since the guitar is tuned in fourths 56789 on the E string is equal to 01234 on the A string. The only tones missing are the low octave E,F,F#,G, and G#.

 

You can also formulate the same pattern starting on 17 to get the same effect in the treble position. Below is the most efficient way to navigate all tones.

 

PRIMARY POSITION/TREBLE POSITION

Vvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvv

 

E--------56789101112 l 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

B-------45678 l 17 18 19 20 21

G--------56789 l 17 18 19 20 21

D--------56789 l 17 18 19 20 21

A--------56789 l 17 18 19 20 21

E-0123456789 l 17 18 19 20 21

 

 

 

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The 5th position was the first position that I really began to read well in, and it does work for most things. Now, I'm somewhat held back by it as my sight reading in the 7th and 9th positions isn't as good. For the most part, 5th is a good position, but I think that the 7th or 9th positions are even better. Rarely do you have to go down to notes below (written) middle C on guitar, and you frequently have to play up to C, D, and even E above the staff.

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