Now that you know the note names on the stave and where they are situated on your fret board it is necessary to spend a few moments explaining how you use your fingers to play the notes.?

Your fingers are numbered like this:?

first finger (index)?????????????????????????????? =????????? 1
second finger (middle)??????????????????????? =????????? 2
third finger (ring finger)?????????????????????? =????????? 3
fourth finger (little)?????????????????????????????=????????? 4

To help you progress quickly, the finger number for each note will be shown in later examples.? If you use the wrong finger initially it will do little harm as the note will still sound the same.? It is also worth mentioning here that you do not always use the same finger with the same note.? But more on that later.?

Try to form good habits early checking on hand position every time you pick up your instrument.? Soon you will adopt the correct position automatically without thinking about it.? Hands should be positioned as follows:

1.? Hold your hands easily without stiffness.? Keep them relaxed.

2. You will have to bend your wrist to get your fingers round the fret board

3.? The fingers are arched so that the tips strike the strings and do not obstruct other strings

4. Your thumb rests against the back of the neck behind the note you are playing

5.? You press the string behind the metal strip called the fret.? In fact the space between frets is also called the fret

There are no hard and fast rules as every individual will have a different hand shape but the above tips will help while you develop your own style.

Make sure your finger nails are clipped as short as possible.? Some players file them very low to avoid the nails obstructing another string.?