Third Position Exercises

These are the audio files for all of your Exercises in Third Position.  Please be sure to use the fingering that is shown in the music:

0 = open string
1 = index finger
2 = middle finger
3 = ring finger

The tab does show the correct fret, but there is no way to show on the tab, which finger to use on that fret!

Basic Third Position Exercises Audio files

Line 1 (ascending scale) - 66 bpm Line 2 (descending scale) - 66 bpm Line 3 (alternating ascending scale) - 66 bpm Line 4 (alternating descending scale) - 66 bpm Line 5 (arpeggio) - 66 bpm

Advanced Third Position Exercises Audio files

Line 1 (alternating 1st and 3rd A string) - 66 bpm Line 2 (finger spacing A strings) - 66bpm Line 3 (alternating 1st and 3rd E strings) - 66 bpm Line 4 (finger spacing E strings) - 66 bpm Lines 5 & 6 (eighth notes on D strings) - 66 bpm Lines 7 & 8 (fast shift on G strings) - 66 bpm

Third Position Arpeggios and Scales

Line 1 Key of C Arpeggio - 48 bpm Line 1 Key of C Arpeggio - 66 bpm

You will find it easier to play this exercise at the faster speed if you concentrate on leaving your fingers on the strings as you ascend the scale.  If you look, you see that the arpeggio reverses, and you use the exact same fingers in the exact same position on the way down.

Line 2 Key of G Scale

This exercise starts in third position and stays there.  The difficult part is at the end of the second measure, when you have to hit the 11th fret with your pinky.

Line 3 Key of D Scale

This exercise also starts and ends in third position, but your scale starts with your middle finger!  Like the previous exercise, you have to hit the 11th fret with your pinky.  You should be comfortable enough with playing scales that you can play this without looking at your music or tab.  Try watching your fingers instead, and let your ears tell you if you make a mistake.

Line 4 - Key of D Arpeggio

This one can be a little tricky because you shift to third position in a different spot going up the scale, than you do when you come back down.  This gives both your index and ring fingers a workout!  Again, try watching your fingers and let your ears tell you if you make a mistake.

Third Position Shifts with Ring Finger

Shifts to another position can be "led" with any finger, although it is most commonly done with the index and ring finger.  Here are some exercises to practice leading a shift, with your ring finger.

Line 1 Exercise Line 2 Exercise Line 3 Exercise

These exercises alternate between an index finger shift, and a ring finger shift.

Line 4 Exercise Line 5 Exercise

These exercises change one note in the previous exercises (from a "B", to a "B flat"), but what a difference it makes!  Try watching your fingers instead of your music/tab - that should help you learn the distance that your hand has to travel, so that you do not hit the frets.