Last time we learned all the natural notes on the E string. If you did not read that lesson, start there first, then come back to this one.

Ok, remember the surprise I mentioned ? What if I told you that now that you know all the natural notes on the E string, you also know all the notes on the D string already ? Well, almost.

Here is where your homework on understanding octaves is going to pay off in a big way. Play an open E on your E string. Now play an E on your D string, second fret. The E on the D string is one octave above the open E(on your E string)

Now fret the F note on your E string. OK, now find the F on your D string. It is found at the third fret, 1/2 step above E. Now play the F on the first fret of the E string with your index finger, and while letting it ring, play the F on the D string with your third, or, ring finger at the third fret. What you have done is played the low F, then dropped two strings down,two frets up, to play the F one octave higher. If you don't follow me, reread this until you do understand, Then memorize "two strings down, two frets up ". Spend a few moments repeating this, till you know it.

You can place your index finger on any fret on the E string and find the octave note by dropping"two strings down, two frets up" Example, Play the A note on the E string with your index finger at the fifth fret. Then drop "two strings down, two frets up"and play the A note with your third finger at the seventh fret. Look at your hand you are using to fret the strings. This fingering "shape" should be memorized. Practice it until it becomes second nature. Visualize it. Again, reread this until you are fully aware of what I'm talking about. Then we can go on.

By learning all the natural notes on the E string, and then applying the "two strings down, two frets up" fingering, you should now "know" where all the natural notes are on the D string. If I say play the B note on the D string, you can find it easily by noting where the B is on the E string. You already know where the B is on the D string don't you ? That's right, "two strings down, two frets up". You don't have to fret the B on the E string at this point. Just knowing where it is enough once you understand the two down two up shape.

So now, by learning the natural notes on the E string, and by understanding the "two srtings down, two frets up" concept, You have "learned" where all the natural notes are on the D string also ! 1/2 the fretboard learned in two lessons ! Well, almost.

For your homework, review this and the first lesson a time or two. Make sure you have a good understanding of both, because we are going to crank it up a notch for our next lesson, Till then...