The Note Name Game on low second finger notes

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:

Play something
Sing or say the note names
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.