A G in music

[timmo]

If you have a sheet of manuscript paper with five staff lines, is there any difference in putting the G on the bottom line, or in between the top two lines?

[CamdenRob]

Yes, the top one is an octave above the bottom one.

[Bilbo]

Rob is right. Low G (first line) is the third fret on the E string whilst the high G (top 'gap' between the top two lines)is the open G string, 5th fret of D string, 10th fret of the A string or 14th fret of the E string, all of which are the same note.

Notation not only tells you which note to play as in G, it tell you which G to play. Otherwise, you would be all over the place.

[timmo]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1392194776' post='2365720']
Rob is right. Low G (first line) is the third fret on the E string whilst the high G (top 'gap' between the top two lines)is the open G string, 5th fret of D string, 10th fret of the A string or 14th fret of the E string, all of which are the same note.

Notation not only tells you which note to play as in G, it tell you which G to play. Otherwise, you would be all over the place.
[/quote]
Ahh, now that makes sense. I knew the notes in between the staffs, and knew that you can add extras by putting in your own staffs. I never realised it was to tell you where to play. I always wondered how you knew where to play the notes. So if the notes are in the 5 staffs that are printed, Open A, would be in between the first and second staff lines, the B on the second line would be A string, 2nd fret, C 3rd fret, E on the D string, 2nd fret ect, down to open G between the last 2 staffs. If i wanted to play an A on the 17th fret for example, where would the note be on the staffs?

Edited February 12, 2014 by timmo

[CamdenRob]

That would be on the top line as it's an octave above the previous A, although it doesnt tell you whether that A is played on the 17th of the E string, the 12th of the A string, the 7th of the D string or the second of the G string. It's obviously the same note, where you play it is down to personal preference and where the previous notes are.

When I'm reading, I actually don't read the notes and think thats an A, thats a C# etc... I read the intervals between them and relate that back to the key signature, ie if I see an A then a note on the next line up I'll play the interval I see. I've no idea if thats right, I've never been taught properly but its served me well

[Myke]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1392214266' post='2366015']
When I'm reading, I actually don't read the notes and think thats an A, thats a C# etc... I read the intervals between them and relate that back to the key signature, ie if I see an A then a note on the next line up I'll play the interval I see. I've no idea if thats right, I've never been taught properly but its served me well
[/quote]

Each to their own If it works for you then it works!

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1392214444' post='2366021']
Each to their own If it works for you then it works!
[/quote]

Thats kinda what I figured... I find it much easier to relate the intervals to my hand positioning, knowing the scale shapes.

Still if there is a better way I'm always looking to learn!

[timmo]

I have heard of the key signatures. I never really understand what it means

[ambient]

Key signatures are the flats or sharps at the start of the piece if music. They tell you what key you're in.
No flats or sharps is either C major or its relative minor which is A minor. One flat is F major again that has a relative minor too D minor but I guess I'm complicating things a bit.
Have a look at this, it may help.

Edited February 12, 2014 by ambient

[CamdenRob]

The beauty of playing a stringed instrument as opposed to say a trumpet (never having played the trumpet this may be a poor example) is that you only have to learn the scale shape once... it is the same for all scales just starting on the relevent note. To play in D you would just use the scale shape for D, you wouldnt have to worry about remembering to play F# and C# because the shape would naturally be taking you to the correct notes.

Edited February 13, 2014 by CamdenRob

[ambient]

Probably best to know that the key has a C # and F# though. If you were just jamming in that key you'd want to know, or I'd want to, but I'm probably opening a huge tin of worms here

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1392279990' post='2366667']
Probably best to know that the key has a C # and F# though. If you were just jamming in that key you'd want to know, or I'd want to, but I'm probably opening a huge tin of worms here
[/quote]

No your right, it's important to know what notes are in each key and why. I'd just imagine that reading is easier on a stringed instrument than it is on a piano as the shapes are always the same.

Edited February 13, 2014 by CamdenRob

[ambient]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1392280458' post='2366670']
No your right, it's important to know what notes are in each key and why. I'd just imagine that reading is easier on a stringed instrument than it is on a piano as the shapes are always the same.
[/quote]

Just noticed your gear list, sorry for going right off topic here , a Wal 6 string [size=6]WOW ![/size]

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1392288731' post='2366758']
Just noticed your gear list, sorry for going right off topic here , a Wal 6 string [size=6]WOW ![/size]
[/quote]

Spent most of my bass playing life wishing I had a Wal, ever since I first tried one at 17.... Spent the last year or so scouring the second hand market, tried a few out, then finally decided to order a new one a couple of months back... Only 15 months to go!