We’ll now play the note name game with the low second finger notes. This will allow you to read D and A Dorian scales as well as the upper octave of the G Major scale.

A quick recap of the game:

  1. Play something

  2. Sing or say the note names

  3. Continue to alternate between playing and singing in a practice loop.


Low second on the D string: F natural

Low second finger on D string is called “F natural”.

Play it along with the F drone track, and then sing or say “F natural”

Then think “F natural” as you play it. 

This note is more commonly referred to as just “F”. But for now, I suggest you practice saying “F natural” to more clearly distinguish it from F sharp. But you can also practice saying just “F.”


D0-1-L2-3

Now let’s play the game with the first four notes of the D Dorian scale. Play D0-1-L2-3 and then sing or say “D, E, F natural, G.” Keep alternating. When it begins to flow, see if you can play and say the notes at the same time. 

Next, try to reverse the order. Play D3-L2-1-0 and sing or say “G, F natural, E, D.” 


F natural to F sharp

Another variation of the game is to alternate between F natural and F sharp.

Play DL2-L2-2-2 and then say, “F natural, F sharp.” You can also say, “F, F sharp.”

DL2-L2-2-2

We say that F natural is a half step below F sharp.


Low second on the A string: C natural

Now we’ll do the same practice with low second finger on the A string, which is called C natural.

Play it along with the C drone track, and then sing or say “C natural” or just “C”. Then think “C natural” as you play it. 

Next, play the game by alternating between G3 and AL2, both of which are called C. Play G3-AL2 and say, “C, C”.


A0-1-L2-3

Now let’s play the game with the first four notes of the A Dorian scale (also the last four notes of D Dorian).

Play A0-1-L2-3 and then sing or say “A, B, C, D.” Keep alternating. When it begins to flow, see if you can play and say the notes at the same time. 

Next, try to reverse the order. Play A3-L2-1-0 and sing or say “D, C, B, A.” 


C natural to C sharp

Next, alternate between C natural and C sharp. Play AL2-L2-2-2 and then say, “C natural, C sharp.” You can also say, “C, C sharp.” We say that C natural is a half step below C sharp.

AL2-L2-2-2


D Dorian Note Name Game

Next, play the game with the entire D Dorian scale:


Low second on the E string: G natural

Finally, we’ll do the same practice with low second finger on the E string, which is called G natural.

Play it along with the G drone track, and then sing or say “G natural” or just “G”. Then think “G natural” as you play it. 

We say that G natural is a half step below G sharp.

Next, play the game by alternating between D3 and EL2, both of which are called G. Play D3-EL2 and say, “G, G”.


E0-1-L2-3

Now let’s play the game with the last four notes of the A Dorian scale. Play E0-1-L2-3 and then sing or say “E, F sharp, G natural, A.” Keep alternating. When it begins to flow, see if you can play and say the notes at the same time. 

Next, try to reverse the order. Play E3-L2-1-0 and sing or say “A, G natural, F sharp, E.” 


G natural to G sharp

Next, alternate between G natural and G sharp. Play EL2-2 and then say, “G natural, G sharp.” You can also say, “G, G sharp.”


A Dorian Note Name Game

Now play the game with the A Dorian scale.

 


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