11 More Notes, Color & Navigation
INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn more fretted notes on the second string, more navigation symbols and tone colors.
NOTATIONS
Notes
The Notes ‘C♯’ & ‘D♭’
‘C♯’ and ‘D♭’ are enharmonics. To play ‘C♯’ and ‘D♭’, fret the second fret on the second string.
The Notes ‘D♯’ & ‘E♭’
‘D♯’ and ‘E♭’ are enharmonics. To play ‘D♯’ and ‘E♭’, fret the fourth fret on the second string.
The Note ‘E’
You already learned to read this note as the open first string. However, this same pitch can be played as the fifth fret of the second string as well.
Navigation Symbols
The following symbols and Italian phrases direct you to repeat sections of music, often by jumping backward and forward in the score. Centuries ago, when paper was far more expensive than it is now, these symbols were cost effective. These symbols are still used today because musicians prefer to play from scores with minimal pages.
Coda
The Coda looks like an ellipse covered by a cross. It means “tail” in Italian. The Coda marks the starting point of the composition’s last section.
Segno
The Segno looks like an upper case “S” bisected by a diagonal line and dots. It means “sign” in Italian. Placed within the piece (not the beginning or ending), it marks a section to be repeated at a later point in the piece’s progression.
Dal Segno or D.S.
D.S. is the abbreviation of Dal Segno. It means “to the sign” in Italian. The phrase directs you to go back to the Segno symbol.
Da Capo or D.C.
D.C. is the abbreviation of Da Capo. It means “to the head” in Italian. The phrase directs you to go back to the beginning of the piece.
Fine
The Fine is written directly into the score. It means “the end” in Italian. It marks the end of the piece. Navigation symbols allow you to jump around a score. Occasionally, a piece will end somewhere in the middle of the score.
Combinations of Navigation Symbols
D.C. al Fine
The D.C. al Fine directs you to go back to the beginning of the piece and play until the Fine.
D.S. al Fine
The D.S. al Fine directs you to jump to the Segno and play until the Fine.
D.C. al Coda
The D.C. al Coda directs you to jump to the beginning, play to the Coda, jump forward to the other Coda, and play to the end of the piece. Traditionally, two Coda symbols were placed in the score. However, in standard practice today the Coda symbol is often replaced by the actual words ‘To Coda’ and ‘Coda.‘
D.S. al Coda
The D.S. al Coda directs you to jump to the Segno, play to the Coda, jump forward to the other Coda, and play to the end of the piece. In this case, two Coda symbols (or words) will be placed in the score.
Tone Color
Three tone colors are commonly used in guitar notation. The following directions can appear in regular font, italicized font or as an abbreviation. See the video above for an example of bright, warm and ordinary tone colors.
Sul Tasto or ‘ST’
This phrase, which means ‘at the neck’ in Italian, directs you to either pluck near the neck (for acoustic guitar)