Circles:

At the top of page 1 of EncycloMedia it states: "circled numbers indicate strings".  Therefore, "circle four" simply means "string 4", while "circle two" means "string 2".  It's that simple!

On page 2 (3/4's down the page) we are introduced to the word "form".  Form is the "connection" of two ideas: instrument (guitar or bass) and musician.  In other words, form is the "combination" of the "string", plus the "musicians left hand finger".  For example, form "circle-four two" connects these two ideas: 1. find a letter on "string four", and then 2. place your "left hand 2nd finger" on that letter.   Here's another example, form "circle-five four" means: 1. locate any letter on "string five" and then 2. put your "4th finger" on it.  That's all there is to it!

Squares:

As a general rule, "squares" are used in order to make a letter or tone number "stand out". Squares bring awareness and attention to a letter or number.  Squares may also be used to create "patterns" (groups) of letters or numbers.

With that said, at the bottom of page 1, the 7 letters have been "converted" to 7 numbers in the "key of C major".  These 7 numbers are "scale degree numbers", and in EncycloMedia, are simply called "tones".  Tones are the numbers given to the "in order" sounds of any scale, arpeggio or chord. Tone 1 is the most important number because it identifies the "key". 

Key is simply the letter of tone 1. and tone 1 is "squared" to bring attention and awareness to the "key".  Tone 1 is also called the root, fundamental and tonic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, 5 simple ideas of great consequence:

1. Letter,
2. Number,
3. Key (letter +  tone number 1),
4. Form (string + finger),
5. Key Change (move the form to a different "tone 1 letter").

These 5 simple ideas connected together enables you to play "all sounds" anywhere on your guitar or bass!  In other words, you can identify any sound on your instrument by simply knowing the "key letter and tone number of that sound.  These "5 simple ideas" will take you a long, long way.  Hope this helps.

Till next time, play and have fun...I'm listening.

Sincerely,
Mike Overly