WHEN PEOPLE talk about "playing in positions" they mean playing notes which require your hand position to change, moving further up the fretboard; hence it's also known as "playing up the neck". Many mandolinists never do this, and when it comes to folk music, the vast majority of it doesn't need it.

However, a knowldge of this technique may help you navigate some tricky parts of tunes which are simply easier when played in a different position. These sheets try to explain the concept of playing in positions, and provide some exercises to help you practise.