Notation (not tab) standards for specifying left hand positions - high C+

[tsheldon]

In classical guitar Roman numerals I - VI specify which string you are to play a given note on. “I” being high E and VI being the low E.

While I’m sure there’s no standard for this I’m curious how, if any of you were to choose, to specify a high C string.

On one hand the bass world has already claimed I-IV for G-E. Would you opt to disregard and use I for the high C or would you choose some other symbol for C and stick with the standard that G is “I”?

 

[Stevie G]

Actually, classical guitar notation uses roman numerals to indicate fret numbers, while arabic numerals inside a circle indicate string numbers. So, to indicate use of a high-C string in standard notation, you would simply use “①” wherever you want something played specifically on the C string — as long as you have a legend at the start of the piece to indicate the tuning of the strings.

For example, the legend for a tenor bass piece could read:

4-str.bs.
low-to-high (A-D-G-C)

Alternatively, you can use circled numbers. E.g., the legend for a 5’er strung E to C might be:

5-string bass:
①=C ②=G ③=D ④=A ⑤=E

Thereafter, you can use circled numbers and roman numerals as normal to designate string number and fret position, respectively, throughout the music.

Some classical guitar pieces with alternate tunings (such as by Walton or Rudnev) can take a more minimalist approach, such as using—for example— "⑥ to D" to indicate non-standard tuning of a single string (with the tuning of the other strings inferred as standard).

All of the above pertains to standard notation only. Things are "easier" with tab, which allows you to specify the pitch of each string at the start of the initial tab staff.

Hope this helps,

Stevie

 

[RickyT]

4 string
1 G
2 D
3 A
4 E

5 string
1 G
2 D
3 A
4 E
5 B

6 string
1 C
2 G
3 D
4 A
5 E
6 B

 

[Bob_Ross]

sul C