Identifying Duplicate Pitches and Octaves

Part II - Identifying Octaves

Lets move on to identifying octaves on the same string. You can find the octave of any note on any string by moving up 12 frets from that note. For example if you played the Low E string open you have the note E, by fretting the 12th fret you have replicated the note E, but one octave higher.

The same can be done with fretted notes. If we fret the 2nd fret on the Low E string, we have the note F#. By fretting the 14th fret (2nd fret + 12 more frets), we have replicated the F# note, but one octave higher. This method can be used to find the octave of any note on any string on any fret (providing there is enough frets for you to move up 12 frets). Here are some more examples. Notice that the neck diagram is horizontal. When the entire guitar neck is featured, it is usually displayed horizontal to make it easier on our eyes.

The next method to be discussed finds octaves over 3 strings. The method goes as follows. You can find the octave by moving up 2 frets and moving up 2 strings. If the octave lands on the B string or the B string is between the octave shape, then you must move up one additional fret. For example, lets start with the Low E string again. Following this method we would move 2 frets to the 2nd fret, and move 2 strings up to the D string. By playing the 2nd fret on the D string, we have replicated the Note E, but one higher up. The same can be done notes that are already fretted. Lets use the A string fretting the 3rd fret, the note C. To find the octave move up 2 frets to the 5th fret and move up 2 strings to the G string. By playing the 5th fret on the G string we have found the note C but on octave higher. For example.

On the D and G string, we can use the same method but beacuse we either land on the B string or the B string is between the octave shape we have to move up one additional fret. For example.

These Methods Can Be Reversed

Of course, all of these methods can be reversed to work the opposite way to find the octave down instead of the octave up, or the same pitch but on a higher string instead of a lower string. For example you could move 12 frets down to find the octave below on the same string, or you could move down 2 strings and move down 2 frets to find the octave below. For duplicate pitches you could move up 1 string and then move down 5 frets (4 if you move to the B string). All of the methods are relative.

Putting More Then One Method Together

We could also use 2 methods together. For example we could first move up 12 frets to find the octave on the same string and then move up one string and move down 5 frets (4 frets if moving to the B string) to find the same duplicate octave note but on a different string. From this we could devise a new method. To find the octave, move up 1 string and move up 7 frets (8 frets if you moved to the B string).For example.

We could also find the octave over 3 strings (move up 2 frets or 3 frets if moving to the B string and move up 2 strings) and then move up one string and move down 5 frets (4 if you land on the B string) to find the same duplicate octave note but on a different string. From this we could devise another method. Move up 3 strings and down 3 frets (2 frets if you land on the B string, or if the B string is between the octave). For example.

The 'B' string

As you have noticed, there is an exception to the rule everytime the B string is mentioned. Why is this? What makes the B string so important? Go back up to the tuning diagram and study the way the guitar is tuned. You should notice that the B string is tuned one one half step lower (or one fret lower) in relation to the rest of the strings. Believe it or not, this actually makes the guitar more playable. But because of the B string, you have to conform some of these methods to fit. Don't be to concerned over the B string however, don't worry if you forget if your supposed to move up 1 fret or down 1 fret when you land on the B string. Just play the notes, and your ear should be able to hear the octave.

As should be clear by now, there are many different ways to find duplicate pitches and octaves. Remember that a few of the methods can be viewed as a series of 2 other methods. Dont expect to learn every method right away but gradually you should see an improvement in playing the same note or its octaves in different position of the neck. By expanding your knowledge of the neck, you give yourself alot more room to play new licks and ideas and it will also assist you in finding and remembering the names of other notes on the guitar.