DAY 4 OF 14Sprint 1: The New Galaxy

Fourth Everywhere

35 min·Total session time
Core Concept

Degree 4 (G) Is the Modal Color

G (degree 4) is the note that gives DADGAD its distinctive modal quality — it is neither major nor minor, but suspended. String 3 is tuned to G, so you always have degree 4 available as an open string. The perfect fourth (D to G) is a stable, consonant interval that creates an open, resolved sound rather than tension. Together with D and A, the G note completes the harmonic skeleton of all DADGAD-based music.

Explore the Orbit System

Yesterday:Yesterday you mapped A (degree 5) — the tension note. Today you add G (degree 4), the color note that completes the three-note harmonic skeleton.

Warmup

5 min
  1. 1.Tune to DADGAD, naming each string. Then do one quick D-location review: find D on strings 5 and 3 from memory.
  2. 2.Do one quick A-location review: find A on strings 6, 3, and 1 from memory.
  3. 3.Slow neck circles to loosen shoulders, then shake out both hands.
  4. 4.Strum the open chord and listen specifically for string 3 (G) in the mix.

Finding G on Every String

Main Practice

25 min
  1. 1.

    String 6 (D): G is at fret 3. Open is D — count up 5 semitones to reach G (D→D#→E→F→F#→G). Short reach, in the most accessible position. Play fret 3 on string 6, say 'G', 10 times.

  2. 2.

    String 5 (A): G is at fret 10. Open is A — count up 10 semitones. This is a reach. Verify with tuner. Note: this is near the end of easy first-position playing, but important to know. Play it 5 times, saying 'G'.

  3. 3.

    String 4 (D): G is at fret 5. Open is D, count up 5 semitones = G. Same interval as string 6, same fret. Play fret 5 on string 4 ten times, saying 'G'. Notice this is in a very natural finger position.

  4. 4.

    String 3 (G): G is at fret 0 (open) and fret 12. Play open string 3, say 'G'. Then fret 12, say 'G'. This string is your home base for G. 5 reps each.

  5. 5.

    String 2 (A): G is at fret 8. Open is A — count up 10 semitones... wait: A(0)→A#(1)→B(2)→C(3)→C#(4)→D(5)→D#(6)→E(7)→F(8)→F#(9)→G(10). So G is at fret 10 on string 2. Verify with tuner. Play 5 times.

  6. 6.

    String 1 (D): G is at fret 3. Same as string 6: open is D, 5 frets up = G. Play fret 3 on string 1, confirm with tuner, say 'G', 10 times.

  7. 7.

    Three-note sequence: on string 4, play D (open, fret 0), then G (fret 5), then back to D. Then on string 3, play G (open), then find D (fret 7) and A (fret 2) from Day 2 and Day 3. Say each note aloud as you play it.

  8. 8.

    Random challenge: a string is called out — find G on that string within 5 seconds. Do 10 rounds.

Integration

5 min
  1. 1.On string 1, play D (fret 0), then A (fret 7), then G (fret 3) — this is degrees 1, 5, 4. Say the degree numbers aloud. Repeat 5 times.
  2. 2.Play strings 1, 3, and 5 open simultaneously: D, G, A. Let them ring for 8 beats. This is the harmonic skeleton of DADGAD available without any left-hand fingering at all.

Exit Check

Mark each yes in your practice log — these are not tracked here.