Notes on the B String

The middle line in the staff is the note B. Simply play your open B string (the 2nd string). The note above B is C which is in the 2nd space from the top of the staff. On the guitar, C is the 1st fret of the B string. The note above C is D which is on the 2nd line from the top of the staff. On the guitar, D is the 3rd fret of the B string.

B String Exercises

Exercise 1.

Exercise 2.

Exercise 3. Quarter notes and Half notes

Exercise 4. Quarter, Half, and Whole Notes

E and B String Exercises

Exercise 5. This one looks harder than it really is. I’ve added fingerings next to some of the notes.

Exercise 6. The first five notes of the C Major scale.

Exercise 7. The C triad arpeggio.

Exercise 8. Double Stops. A “double stop” is where you play two notes at the same time. Initially, place your pick in between the G and B strings and strum only the B and E strings. Strum quickly so that the two strings are heard at the exact same time. Each double stop is a whole note so try to let the notes “ring out” for a full 4 beats.

Exercise 9. The Half Barre or Partial Capo. A full “barre” is where you place your first finger across all 6 strings. A half barre only crosses some of the strings. In this exercise, you’ll barre just two strings (the E and B). To play this “half barre” place your first finger across both the E and B strings. For measures 1 and 3, you’ll barre the 1st fret. For measures 2 and 4, barre the 3rd fret. In guitar sheet music, there are multiple ways to notate a “half barre”. It’s often called a “capo” because composers will use a capital “C”. When there is a C with a slash through it (measures 3 and 4), that means it is a half barre. The roman numerals next to the capo symbol indicate the fret where you’ll place your barre (your first finger).