diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 68097b3..7077eb7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ Accompaniment uses deterministic four-bar phrase cycles: a two-bar motif repeats
 
 There are no musical genre presets, genre defaults, or genre metadata. Obsolete `vamp:style` hints are rejected; visual styles, fonts, colors, and barline notation remain supported. Phrase cycles are written into the generated score and played once in reading order.
 
-Guitar parts share standard tuning and chord-tone helpers but use separate acoustic and electric placement systems. Both use frets 1-20, exclude open strings, and limit grips to three consecutive fret positions. Frets 7-9 qualify; frets 7-10 do not. Complete acoustic and electric chords require at least one occupied string at fret 12 or below; this anchor is an eligibility check, not a penalty for higher notes within the grip. Acoustic requires a bass on string 5 or 6 plus all three upper strings 4, 3, and 2. Electric uses chords on strings 1-3 or 1-4. Electric melody notes longer than a quarter note, including full tied runs, receive chords when playable; chord changes create fresh attacks even for short remaining fragments. Electric melodies are raised one octave; vocal registers stay unchanged. All parts still sound one octave below their generated notation, and explicit MusicXML transposition is honored once. Unplayable melody harmonizations remain single notes with a diagnostic; unplayable accompaniment or exact melody pitches fail generation. Single-note melodies do not require a fret-12 anchor.
+Guitar parts share standard tuning and chord-tone helpers but use separate acoustic and electric placement systems. Single notes in every guitar part, including solos, melodies, bass notes, and harmonization fallbacks, must use frets 1-12. Chords may extend above fret 12, exclude open strings, and fit within three consecutive fret positions. Frets 7-9 qualify; frets 7-10 do not. Each played acoustic or electric chord requires at least one occupied string at fret 12 or below; this anchor is an eligibility check, not a penalty for higher notes within the grip. Acoustic requires a bass on string 5 or 6 plus all three upper strings 4, 3, and 2. Electric uses chords on strings 1-3 or 1-4. Electric melody notes longer than a quarter note, including full tied runs, receive chords when playable; chord changes create fresh attacks even for short remaining fragments. Electric melodies are raised one octave; vocal registers stay unchanged. All parts still sound one octave below their generated notation, and explicit MusicXML transposition is honored once. Unplayable melody harmonizations remain single notes with a diagnostic; unplayable accompaniment or exact melody pitches fail generation. Acoustic bass attacks and upper-chord attacks qualify independently; an unsounded member of the underlying grip cannot supply the anchor. Held chord tones must retain a sounding anchor, including across notation ties. Solo registers, anchors, pitch paths, and placement all respect the single-note limit before selection. Unreachable exact pitches or explicit TAB fail without silent octave fitting.
 
 All parts use two music systems per page, with a single system only when the score ends on an odd system. Lines break only between measures and share consistent staff/TAB widths. A measure that cannot fit at readable spacing fails with a diagnostic instead of being split. Tall notation is scaled uniformly to fit the two rows; guitar notation and TAB stay together and aligned. TAB displays frets and ties without duplicate rests; standard notation retains the complete rhythm. The generated `.pages/*.png` files are the same page images displayed by the product.
 
diff --git a/generator/acoustic_voicing.py b/generator/acoustic_voicing.py
index 9b537e6..8744533 100644
--- a/generator/acoustic_voicing.py
+++ b/generator/acoustic_voicing.py
@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ def select(spans: list[generator.acoustic.HarmonySpan]) -> list[Voicing]:
     try:
       requirements = generator.fretboard.chord_requirements(span.harmony)
       options = candidates(requirements, generator.harmony.is_triad(span.harmony))
+      lanes = {n['_guitar_lane'] for n in span.notes}
+      options = tuple(v for v in options if ('bass' not in lanes or v.bass.fret <= generator.fretboard.MAX_SINGLE_FRET) and ('upper' not in lanes or generator.fretboard.has_fret_anchor(v[1:])))
       if not options:
-        raise ValueError(f'no acoustic grip on strings 2-4 plus bass 5 or 6 within frets {generator.fretboard.MIN_FRET}-{generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET}, at most {generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET_SPAN} consecutive fret positions, and at least one fret <= {generator.fretboard.MAX_ANCHOR_FRET}')
+        raise ValueError(f'no acoustic grip on strings 2-4 plus bass 5 or 6 within frets {generator.fretboard.MIN_FRET}-{generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET}, at most {generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET_SPAN} consecutive fret positions; played bass notes need frets 1-{generator.fretboard.MAX_SINGLE_FRET} and played upper chords need their own anchor <= {generator.fretboard.MAX_ANCHOR_FRET}')
     except ValueError as error:
       raise ValueError(f'{span.location}, {generator.harmony.symbol(span.harmony)}: {error}') from error
     states = advance(options, requirements, states)
@@ -92,3 +94,4 @@ def place(document: dict) -> None:
       for field in ('_harmony', '_guitar_profile', '_guitar_lane'):
         note.pop(field, None)
   document['staves'][0]['tablature'] = True
+  generator.fretboard.validate_document(document)
diff --git a/generator/arrange/generate.py b/generator/arrange/generate.py
index 2e72c9c..774932d 100644
--- a/generator/arrange/generate.py
+++ b/generator/arrange/generate.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import generator.acoustic_voicing
 import generator.arrange.form
 import generator.arrange.pickup
 import generator.electric
+import generator.fretboard
 import generator.guitar
 import generator.melody
 import generator.model
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ def _arrange_document(document: dict, part_type: str, plans: dict[int, generator
     if generator.accompaniment.connect_continuations(result):
       generator.guitar.place_guitar(result)
     generator.electric.reuse_voicings(voicing_links)
+  generator.fretboard.validate_document(result)
   if scales and solos:
     report = generator.scales.mapping.annotate(result, solos, scales, source_name or document['metadata']['title'])
     if reports is not None:
diff --git a/generator/fretboard.py b/generator/fretboard.py
index 813311a..b8d2860 100644
--- a/generator/fretboard.py
+++ b/generator/fretboard.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import generator.pitch
 STANDARD_TUNING = ((6, 40), (5, 45), (4, 50), (3, 55), (2, 59), (1, 64))
 MIN_FRET = 1
 MAX_FRET = 20
+MAX_SINGLE_FRET = 12
 MAX_FRET_SPAN = 3
 MAX_ANCHOR_FRET = 12
 WRITTEN_GUITAR_OCTAVE_OFFSET = 12
@@ -33,6 +34,48 @@ def positions_for_pitch(midi: fractions.Fraction) -> tuple[TabPosition, ...]:
     return ()
   return tuple(TabPosition(string, int(midi - open_midi), int(midi)) for string, open_midi in STANDARD_TUNING if MIN_FRET <= midi - open_midi <= MAX_FRET)
 
+def single_positions_for_pitch(midi: fractions.Fraction) -> tuple[TabPosition, ...]:
+  return tuple(p for p in positions_for_pitch(midi) if p.fret <= MAX_SINGLE_FRET)
+
+def single_register(register: tuple[int, int]) -> tuple[int, int]:
+  return max(register[0], min(p + MIN_FRET for _, p in STANDARD_TUNING)), min(register[1], max(p + MAX_SINGLE_FRET for _, p in STANDARD_TUNING))
+
+def playable_attack(tones) -> bool:
+  """Check a played note/chord, including tails after shorter tones release.
+
+  Each item is a (position, sounding duration) pair. Independent parts and
+  unsounded members of an underlying grip cannot supply the chord's anchor.
+  """
+  tones = tuple(tones)
+  for time in {0, *(duration for _, duration in tones if duration > 0)}:
+    positions = tuple(p for p, duration in tones if duration > time or time == duration == 0)
+    if not positions:
+      continue
+    if any(p not in positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(p.midi)) for p in positions) or len({p.string_number for p in positions}) != len(positions) or not within_fret_span(positions):
+      return False
+    if len(positions) == 1:
+      if positions[0].fret > MAX_SINGLE_FRET:
+        return False
+    elif not has_fret_anchor(positions):
+      return False
+  return True
+
+def validate_document(document: dict) -> None:
+  """Validate generated guitar policy separately from the score wire format."""
+  for staff in document['staves']:
+    if not staff.get('tablature'):
+      continue
+    for measure in staff['measures']:
+      for voice in measure['voices']:
+        for note in voice['notes']:
+          tones = []
+          for pitch in note['pitches']:
+            tab = pitch['tablature']
+            position = TabPosition(tab['string'], tab['fret'], dict(STANDARD_TUNING)[tab['string']] + tab['fret'])
+            tones.append((position, generator.model.fraction(pitch['duration'])))
+          if not playable_attack(tones):
+            raise ValueError(f'{measure["id"]}, event {note["id"]}: single notes require frets {MIN_FRET}-{MAX_SINGLE_FRET}; each sounding chord requires an anchor in {MIN_FRET}-{MAX_ANCHOR_FRET} and at most {MAX_FRET_SPAN} consecutive fret positions, including held/tied tails')
+
 def validate_tuning(state: dict, location: str) -> None:
   details = state['staff_details']
   if details.get('capo', 0):
diff --git a/generator/guitar.py b/generator/guitar.py
index e9d351f..193da96 100644
--- a/generator/guitar.py
+++ b/generator/guitar.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def chord_positions(requirements: generator.fretboard.ChordRequirements, prune:
     if len(set(requirements.required) - covered) > len(options) - index:
       return
     if index == len(options):
-      if selected and requirements.covers(covered) and (not requirements.basses or min(selected, key=lambda p: p.midi).midi % 12 in requirements.basses):
+      if selected and generator.fretboard.has_fret_anchor(selected) and requirements.covers(covered) and (not requirements.basses or min(selected, key=lambda p: p.midi).midi % 12 in requirements.basses):
         result.append(tuple(selected))
       return
     visit(index + 1, selected, covered)
@@ -162,6 +162,9 @@ class EventPlacement:
   exact: tuple
   added: tuple[generator.fretboard.TabPosition, ...] = ()
 
+def playable_choices(choices) -> bool:
+  return all(generator.fretboard.playable_attack((*((position, generator.model.fraction(tone['duration'])) for tone, position in choice.exact), *((position, generator.model.fraction(choice.note['duration'])) for position in choice.added))) for choice in choices)
+
 def continued_sources(notes):
   result = {p['tie_from'] for n in notes for p in n['pitches'] if 'tie_from' in p}
   result.update(f'{n["_continue_from"]}_s{s}' for n in notes if '_continue_from' in n for s, _ in generator.fretboard.STANDARD_TUNING)
@@ -210,7 +213,7 @@ def attack_candidates(notes: list[dict], tones: dict[str, GuitarTone], active: d
               break
           assignment.update((f'{note["id"]}_s{p.string_number}', p) for p in added)
           choices.append(EventPlacement(note, tuple((p, exact_positions[p['id']]) for p in note['pitches']), added))
-        if not compatible:
+        if not compatible or not playable_choices(choices):
           continue
         cost = voicing_cost(positions, profile, requirements.allowed, melody) if fresh else VoicingCost()
         yield AttackCandidate(tuple(sorted(assignment.items())), tuple(choices), positions, cost)
@@ -220,6 +223,8 @@ def attack_candidates(notes: list[dict], tones: dict[str, GuitarTone], active: d
           continue
         assignment = tuple(sorted((*exact, *((f'{chord["id"]}_s{p.string_number}', p) for p in positions)))) if chord else exact
         choices = tuple(EventPlacement(n, tuple((p, exact_positions[p['id']]) for p in n['pitches']), positions if n is chord else ()) for n in notes)
+        if not playable_choices(choices):
+          continue
         cost = voicing_cost(shape, profile, requirements.allowed, melody) if fresh else VoicingCost()
         yield AttackCandidate(assignment, choices, shape, cost)
 
@@ -305,7 +310,7 @@ def advance_positions(notes: list[dict], onset: fractions.Fraction, tones: dict[
   if not result:
     if not fallback and any(n.get('_harmonize') for n in notes):
       return advance_positions(notes, onset, tones, states, preserve_strings, True)
-    raise ValueError(f'event {notes[0]["id"]}, onset {onset}: no guitar placement within frets {generator.fretboard.MIN_FRET}-{generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET} and at most {generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET_SPAN} consecutive fret positions; electric chords need a fret <= {generator.fretboard.MAX_ANCHOR_FRET}; held/tied strings must remain fixed')
+    raise ValueError(f'event {notes[0]["id"]}, onset {onset}: no guitar placement; single notes need frets {generator.fretboard.MIN_FRET}-{generator.fretboard.MAX_SINGLE_FRET}; chords need frets {generator.fretboard.MIN_FRET}-{generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET}, an anchor <= {generator.fretboard.MAX_ANCHOR_FRET}, and at most {generator.fretboard.MAX_FRET_SPAN} consecutive fret positions; held/tied strings must remain fixed')
   return result
 
 def place_guitar(document: dict) -> None:
@@ -338,3 +343,4 @@ def place_guitar(document: dict) -> None:
   if skipped:
     logging.getLogger(__name__).warning('%s: %s melody harmonizations kept as single notes; first event %s', document['metadata']['title'], len(skipped), skipped[-1])
   document['staves'][0]['tablature'] = True
+  generator.fretboard.validate_document(document)
diff --git a/generator/score.py b/generator/score.py
index 0e065f5..e8d63a1 100644
--- a/generator/score.py
+++ b/generator/score.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import pathlib
 import re
 
 import generator.engraving.validation
+import generator.fretboard
 import generator.model
 import generator.pico_artwork
 import generator.playback
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ def validate_json(document: dict, path: pathlib.Path, validated_pages: set[str]
 
 def write_json(path: pathlib.Path, document: dict) -> None:
   generator.model.validate_document(document)
+  generator.fretboard.validate_document(document)
   path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
   path.write_text(json.dumps(document, indent=2, ensure_ascii=False) + '\n', encoding='utf-8')
 
@@ -128,7 +130,8 @@ def validate_generated_tree(root: pathlib.Path, validated_pages: set[str] | None
   validated_pages = set() if validated_pages is None else validated_pages
   for path in root.rglob('*.json'):
     document = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding='utf-8'))
-    validate_json(document, path, validated_pages)
+    music = validate_json(document, path, validated_pages)
+    generator.fretboard.validate_document(music)
     if 'presentation' in document:
       generator.pico_artwork.validate_title(root, document['presentation'].get('title_image'))
     if 'playback' in document:
diff --git a/generator/solo/arrangement.py b/generator/solo/arrangement.py
index 07db888..8ad9127 100644
--- a/generator/solo/arrangement.py
+++ b/generator/solo/arrangement.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import generator.acoustic
 import generator.acoustic_voicing
 import generator.arrange.form
 import generator.electric
+import generator.fretboard
 import generator.guitar
 import generator.model
 import generator.parts
@@ -122,4 +123,5 @@ def apply(source, parts, *, rhythms, scales, sequences, solos=None):
     reports.append(generator.solo.report.describe(solo, scales, first, offset))
   for document in parts.values():
     generator.model.validate_document(document)
+    generator.fretboard.validate_document(document)
   return '\n'.join(reports)
diff --git a/generator/solo/composer.py b/generator/solo/composer.py
index 45f2eac..b69a23f 100644
--- a/generator/solo/composer.py
+++ b/generator/solo/composer.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def validate(solo):
       raise ValueError(f'{solo.part} solo: overlapping or out-of-bounds note at {note.start}')
     if note.pitch.number() % 12 not in generator.solo.types.permitted(solo.choices, note.start, note.end):
       raise ValueError(f'{solo.part} solo: held pitch {note.pitch.label()} violates a scale span at {note.start}-{note.end}')
-    if note.position not in generator.fretboard.positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(note.pitch.number())):
+    if note.position not in generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(note.pitch.number())):
       raise ValueError(f'{solo.part} solo: invalid guitar placement at {note.start}')
     previous = note
   for phrase in solo.phrases:
diff --git a/generator/solo/placement.py b/generator/solo/placement.py
index ff353a4..8ac607a 100644
--- a/generator/solo/placement.py
+++ b/generator/solo/placement.py
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ def place(notes: tuple[generator.solo.types.Note, ...], tempo: fractions.Fractio
 
 @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=128)
 def positions(number: int):
-  return generator.fretboard.positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(number))
+  return generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(number))
diff --git a/generator/solo/planning.py b/generator/solo/planning.py
index a5bdf63..cbecfcd 100644
--- a/generator/solo/planning.py
+++ b/generator/solo/planning.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import dataclasses
 import fractions
 
+import generator.fretboard
 import generator.harmony
 import generator.model
 import generator.scales.selection
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ def new_motif(sequences: generator.solo.sequences.Library, length: fractions.Fra
     for path in paths:
       for start in range(-14, 15):
         pitches = tuple(generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, start + offset) for offset in path.offsets())
-        if not all(register[0] <= pitch.number() <= register[1] for pitch in pitches):
+        if not all(register[0] <= pitch.number() <= register[1] and generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(pitch.number())) for pitch in pitches):
           continue
         score = (generator.solo.sequences.family(path.steps) != shape, pitches[-1].number() % 12 not in target, abs(path.offsets()[-1] - displacement), abs(pitches[0].number() - (register[0] + 5)), generator.solo.policy.stable_rank(seed, (variant, path.steps, start)))
         candidates.append((score, pitches, path))
@@ -137,7 +138,7 @@ def anchor_backbones(identifier, start, end, release, register, choices, bar, se
     duration = terminal_duration if role == 'terminal' else fractions.Fraction(1, 2)
     latest = time if role == 'terminal' else min(time + fractions.Fraction(3, 2), choice.span.end - duration, terminal_start - duration)
     pitches = [generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(choice.scale, degree) for degree in range(-21, 28)]
-    pitches = [p for p in pitches if register[0] <= p.number() <= register[1] and p.number() % 12 in eligible]
+    pitches = [p for p in pitches if register[0] <= p.number() <= register[1] and p.number() % 12 in eligible and generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(p.number()))]
     desired = register[0] + (5 if index == 0 else 8 if role == 'terminal' else 11)
     following = []
     for cost, anchors in states:
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ def plans(analysis: generator.solo.analysis.Analysis, measures: list[dict], choi
     low, high = (55, 74) if part == 'acoustic' else (59, 79)
     phase = (start + finish) / (2 * end)
     register = (low + (5 if fractions.Fraction(1, 2) <= phase < fractions.Fraction(3, 4) else 0), high if phase >= fractions.Fraction(1, 2) else high - 4)
+    register = generator.fretboard.single_register(register)
     bar = boundaries[index + 1] - start
     release = fractions.Fraction(1, 2) if decision(passage_seed, 'breathing') % 3 == 0 else fractions.Fraction()
     release = min(release, (finish - start) / 8)
diff --git a/generator/solo/realization.py b/generator/solo/realization.py
index 7392c4d..680e55b 100644
--- a/generator/solo/realization.py
+++ b/generator/solo/realization.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def cells(plan, measures, rhythms, choices=()):
 
 @functools.lru_cache(maxsize=2048)
 def scale_options(scale, allowed, low, high):
-  return tuple(generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index) for index in range(-21, 28) if low <= generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number() <= high and generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number() % 12 in allowed and generator.fretboard.positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number())))
+  return tuple(generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index) for index in range(-21, 28) if low <= generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number() <= high and generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number() % 12 in allowed and generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(generator.solo.types.scale_pitch(scale, index).number())))
 
 def valid_notes(notes, choices):
   return all(n.pitch.number() % 12 in generator.solo.types.permitted(choices, n.start, n.end) for n in notes)
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def valid_notes(notes, choices):
 def options(choices, start, end, register):
   scale = next((c.scale for c in choices if c.span.start <= start < c.span.end), None)
   allowed = generator.solo.types.permitted(choices, start, end)
-  return scale_options(scale, allowed, max(41, register[0] - 7), min(84, register[1] + 5)) if scale and allowed else ()
+  return scale_options(scale, allowed, *generator.fretboard.single_register((register[0] - 7, register[1] + 5))) if scale and allowed else ()
 
 def target_ok(notes, target):
   return target is None or any(target.earliest <= n.start <= target.latest and n.pitch.number() % 12 in target.pitches for n in notes)
diff --git a/tests/test_engraving.py b/tests/test_engraving.py
index 37b1e76..196b014 100644
--- a/tests/test_engraving.py
+++ b/tests/test_engraving.py
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ class EngravingTests(unittest.TestCase):
     document = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_accompaniment.xml_bars([wide] * 32))
     for measure in document['staves'][0]['measures']:
       measure['transpose']['octave_change'] = -1
+      # Keep the tall written range while sounding inside the single-note limit.
+      measure['attributes'].append({'onset': generator.model.rational(2), 'transpose': {**measure['transpose'], 'octave_change': -2}})
     generator.guitar.place_guitar(document)
     tall = self.layout(document)
     self.assertGreater(len(tall.pages), 1)
@@ -380,8 +382,8 @@ class EngravingTests(unittest.TestCase):
     percussion = '<note><unpitched><display-step>C</display-step><display-octave>5</display-octave></unpitched><duration>4</duration><type>whole</type><notehead>x</notehead></note>'
     source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(percussion, attributes='<clef><sign>percussion</sign></clef>'))
     self.assertEqual(self.primitives(self.layout(source), 'head')[0].value, 'noteheadXWhole')
-    tab = tests.arrangement_fixtures.section_document(tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('C', octave=6))), 'electric', rhythms=tests.rhythm_fixtures.library())
-    self.assertEqual(self.primitives(self.layout(tab), 'tab')[0].value, '20')
+    tab = tests.arrangement_fixtures.section_document(tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('E', octave=5))), 'electric', rhythms=tests.rhythm_fixtures.library())
+    self.assertEqual(self.primitives(self.layout(tab), 'tab')[0].value, '12')
   def test_generated_tab_shares_columns_and_systems_without_duplicating_music(self):
     content = ''.join(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('G', 1, 'eighth') for _ in range(8))
     source = tests.arrangement_fixtures.section_document(tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_accompaniment.xml_bars([content] * 8, divisions=2)), 'electric', rhythms=tests.rhythm_fixtures.library())
diff --git a/tests/test_fret_policy.py b/tests/test_fret_policy.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3676c61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_fret_policy.py
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+import copy
+import fractions
+import pathlib
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+import unittest.mock
+
+import generator.acoustic
+import generator.acoustic_voicing
+import generator.electric
+import generator.fretboard
+import generator.guitar
+import generator.harmony
+import generator.model
+import generator.score
+import generator.solo.analysis
+import generator.solo.planning
+import generator.solo.placement
+import generator.solo.realization
+import tests.solo_fixtures
+import tests.test_acoustic_voicing
+import tests.test_musicxml
+import tests.test_solo
+import tests.test_solo_development
+
+def position(string, fret):
+  return generator.fretboard.TabPosition(string, fret, dict(generator.fretboard.STANDARD_TUNING)[string] + fret)
+
+def document(positions):
+  result = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note()))
+  note = tests.test_musicxml.notes(result)[0]
+  spellings = (('c', 0), ('c', 1), ('d', 0), ('e', -1), ('e', 0), ('f', 0), ('f', 1), ('g', 0), ('a', -1), ('a', 0), ('b', -1), ('b', 0))
+  pitches = []
+  for p in positions:
+    letter, alter = spellings[p.midi % 12]
+    pitches.append({'letter': letter, 'alter': alter, 'octave': p.midi // 12 - 1, 'tablature': {'string': p.string_number, 'fret': p.fret}})
+  note.update(generator.model.make_event(note['id'], fractions.Fraction(), fractions.Fraction(4), 'note', pitches))
+  result['staves'][0]['tablature'] = True
+  return result
+
+class FretPolicyTests(unittest.TestCase):
+  def test_single_limits_and_alternate_string(self):
+    for midi, expected in ((40, False), (41, True), (72, True), (76, True), (77, False), (84, False)):
+      with self.subTest(midi=midi):
+        positions = generator.fretboard.single_positions_for_pitch(fractions.Fraction(midi))
+        self.assertEqual(bool(positions), expected)
+        self.assertTrue(all(1 <= p.fret <= 12 for p in positions))
+    source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('C', octave=5)))
+    generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+    self.assertEqual(tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0]['pitches'][0]['tablature'], {'string': 1, 'fret': 8})
+  def test_explicit_high_single_and_unreachable_pitch_fail_without_rewriting(self):
+    for p in (position(2, 13), position(1, 13)):
+      source = document((p,))
+      before = copy.deepcopy(source)
+      with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes need frets 1-12'):
+        generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+      self.assertEqual(source, before)
+      with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes require frets 1-12'):
+        generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+    source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('F', octave=5)))
+    before = copy.deepcopy(source)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes need frets 1-12'):
+      generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+    self.assertEqual(source, before)
+  def test_chord_anchor_and_span_are_hard_constraints(self):
+    for frets, valid in (((12, 14), True), ((13, 14), False), ((12, 15), False), ((0, 2), False)):
+      with self.subTest(frets=frets):
+        source = document(tuple(position(s, f) for s, f in zip((2, 1), frets)))
+        if valid:
+          generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+          generator.model.validate_document(source)
+          generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+        else:
+          with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+          with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+  def test_high_chord_tail_cannot_outlast_anchor(self):
+    source = document((position(2, 12), position(1, 14)))
+    anchor = tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0]['pitches'][0]
+    anchor.update(duration=generator.model.rational(2), written=generator.model.written_for(fractions.Fraction(2)))
+    generator.model.validate_document(source)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'held/tied tails'):
+      generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'no guitar placement'):
+      generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+  def test_notation_ties_preserve_chord_policy_and_fixed_positions(self):
+    source = document((position(2, 12), position(1, 14)))
+    original = tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0]
+    split = [generator.model.make_event(f'split_{i}', fractions.Fraction(2 * i), fractions.Fraction(2), 'note', original['pitches']) for i in range(2)]
+    for a, b in zip(split[0]['pitches'], split[1]['pitches']):
+      a['tie_to'], b['tie_from'] = b['id'], a['id']
+    source['staves'][0]['measures'][0]['voices'][0]['notes'] = split
+    generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+    generator.model.validate_document(source)
+    generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+    self.assertEqual([p['tablature'] for p in split[0]['pitches']], [p['tablature'] for p in split[1]['pitches']])
+    split[0]['pitches'][0].pop('tie_to')
+    split[1]['pitches'].pop(0)
+    generator.model.validate_document(source)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'held/tied tails'):
+      generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+  def test_another_voice_cannot_supply_a_single_notes_anchor(self):
+    source = document((position(2, 12), position(1, 13)))
+    measure = source['staves'][0]['measures'][0]
+    pitches = tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0]['pitches']
+    measure['voices'] = [{'id': f'voice_{i}', 'notes': [generator.model.make_event(f'n_{i}', fractions.Fraction(), fractions.Fraction(4), 'note', [p])]} for i, p in enumerate(pitches)]
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes require'):
+      generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'no guitar placement'):
+      generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+  def test_harmonization_fallback_obeys_single_limit(self):
+    for p, valid in ((position(2, 13), False), (position(1, 8), True)):
+      source = document((p,))
+      note = tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0]
+      note.update(_harmony=generator.harmony.parse_symbol('CM'), _guitar_profile='electric', _harmonize=True)
+      with unittest.mock.patch('generator.guitar.chord_positions', return_value=()):
+        if valid:
+          with self.assertLogs('generator.guitar', level='WARNING'):
+            generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+          self.assertEqual(len(note['pitches']), 1)
+        else:
+          with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes need frets 1-12'):
+            generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
+  def test_acoustic_played_parts_need_independent_anchors(self):
+    source = tests.test_acoustic_voicing.planned_document([[(0, 'CM')]])
+    spans = generator.acoustic.harmony_spans(source)
+    for frets in ((13, 12, 12, 12), (12, 13, 13, 13)):
+      grip = tests.test_acoustic_voicing.voicing(frets)
+      self.assertTrue(generator.acoustic_voicing.playable(grip))
+      with unittest.mock.patch('generator.acoustic_voicing.candidates', return_value=(grip,)):
+        with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'played bass notes.*played upper chords'):
+          generator.acoustic_voicing.select(spans)
+    generator.acoustic_voicing.place(source)
+    generator.fretboard.validate_document(source)
+  def test_copied_unanchored_voicing_cannot_be_published(self):
+    source = document(tuple(position(s, 13) for s in (3, 2, 1)))
+    target = document(tuple(position(s, 12) for s in (3, 2, 1)))
+    reference, note = tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)[0], tests.test_musicxml.notes(target)[0]
+    generator.electric.reuse_voicings([generator.electric.VoicingLink(note, (reference,))])
+    generator.model.validate_document(target)
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as directory:
+      output = pathlib.Path(directory) / 'score.json'
+      with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'each sounding chord requires an anchor'):
+        generator.score.write_json(output, target)
+      self.assertFalse(output.exists())
+  def test_solo_candidates_and_anchors_are_reachable_before_placement(self):
+    choices = tests.test_solo_development.choices(end=32)
+    options = generator.solo.realization.options(choices, fractions.Fraction(), fractions.Fraction(4), (59, 84))
+    self.assertTrue(options)
+    self.assertLessEqual(max(p.number() for p in options), 76)
+    source = tests.test_solo.song(count=8, chords=('CM7',))
+    plans = generator.solo.planning.plans(generator.solo.analysis.analyze(source), source['staves'][0]['measures'], choices, fractions.Fraction(32), 'electric', tests.solo_fixtures.library())
+    self.assertTrue(plans)
+    for plan in plans:
+      self.assertLessEqual(plan.register[1], 76)
+      self.assertTrue(plan.anchor_options)
+      for anchors in plan.anchor_options:
+        self.assertTrue(all(generator.solo.placement.positions(a.pitch.number()) for a in anchors))
+    motif = generator.solo.planning.new_motif(tests.solo_fixtures.library(), fractions.Fraction(4), choices=choices, register=(70, 84), seed='high')
+    self.assertTrue(all(generator.solo.placement.positions(n.pitch.number()) for n in motif.notes))
+    high = tests.test_solo_development.note(0, 1, 'f', octave=5)
+    self.assertIsNone(generator.solo.placement.place((high,), fractions.Fraction(120)))
diff --git a/tests/test_guitar.py b/tests/test_guitar.py
index aee3195..6bf7f37 100644
--- a/tests/test_guitar.py
+++ b/tests/test_guitar.py
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ class GuitarTests(unittest.TestCase):
           self.assertTrue(covered <= set(requirements.allowed))
           self.assertEqual(len(candidate), len({p.string_number for p in candidate}))
           self.assertTrue(generator.fretboard.within_fret_span(candidate))
+          self.assertTrue(generator.fretboard.has_fret_anchor(candidate))
           self.assertTrue(all(1 <= p.fret <= 20 for p in candidate))
           if requirements.basses:
             self.assertIn(min(p.midi for p in candidate) % 12, requirements.basses)
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ class GuitarTests(unittest.TestCase):
         document = tests.arrangement_fixtures.section_document(source, part, rhythms=tests.rhythm_fixtures.library())
         self.assertEqual(generator.model.fraction(generator.playback.compile_timeline(document)['events'][0]['pitch']), expected + (12 if part == 'electric' else 0))
   def test_written_middle_c_and_c_sharp_six_have_matching_tab_and_audio(self):
-    for octave, alter, expected, tab in ((4, 0, 48, {'string': 5, 'fret': 3}), (6, 1, 73, {'string': 1, 'fret': 9}), (7, 0, 84, {'string': 1, 'fret': 20})):
+    for octave, alter, expected, tab in ((4, 0, 48, {'string': 5, 'fret': 3}), (6, 1, 73, {'string': 1, 'fret': 9})):
       source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note(octave=octave - 1, alter=alter)))
       document = tests.arrangement_fixtures.section_document(source, 'electric', rhythms=tests.rhythm_fixtures.library())
       tone = tests.test_musicxml.notes(document)[0]['pitches'][0]
@@ -197,10 +198,10 @@ class GuitarTests(unittest.TestCase):
       generator.guitar.place_guitar(document)
     self.assertEqual(document, before)
   def test_proximity_chooses_a_path_without_relocating_tied_notes(self):
-    source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('B', 2, 'half', octave=5) + tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('C', 2, 'half', octave=6)))
+    source = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('D', 2, 'half', octave=5) + tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('E', 2, 'half', octave=5)))
     generator.guitar.place_guitar(source)
     tabs = [n['pitches'][0]['tablature'] for n in tests.test_musicxml.notes(source)]
-    self.assertEqual(tabs, [{'string': 1, 'fret': 19}, {'string': 1, 'fret': 20}])
+    self.assertEqual(tabs, [{'string': 1, 'fret': 10}, {'string': 1, 'fret': 12}])
   def test_grid_search_matches_exhaustive_costs_and_tie_breaks(self):
     randomizer = random.Random(17)
     states = {}
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ class GuitarTests(unittest.TestCase):
           candidates.append((state.cost.moved(abs(x - a) + abs(y - b)), index))
         self.assertEqual(actual[:2], min(candidates))
   def test_generated_chord_retains_strings_when_a_melody_enters(self):
-    content = tests.test_musicxml.xml_note() + '<backup><duration>4</duration></backup><forward><duration>2</duration></forward>' + tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('C', 2, 'half', octave=7, extra='<voice>2</voice>')
+    content = tests.test_musicxml.xml_note() + '<backup><duration>4</duration></backup><forward><duration>2</duration></forward>' + tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('E', 2, 'half', octave=6, extra='<voice>2</voice>')
     document = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(content))
     measure = document['staves'][0]['measures'][0]
     measure['transpose']['octave_change'] = -1
@@ -225,9 +226,9 @@ class GuitarTests(unittest.TestCase):
     chord['_harmony'] = generator.harmony.parse_symbol('CM')
     generator.guitar.place_guitar(document)
     generator.model.validate_document(document)
-    self.assertEqual(melody['pitches'][0]['tablature'], {'string': 1, 'fret': 20})
+    self.assertEqual(melody['pitches'][0]['tablature'], {'string': 1, 'fret': 12})
     self.assertNotIn(1, [p['tablature']['string'] for p in chord['pitches']])
-    self.assertEqual(len(generator.playback.compile_timeline(document)['events']), 4)
+    self.assertEqual(len(generator.playback.compile_timeline(document)['events']), 3)
   def test_more_than_six_simultaneous_tones_fail_without_omission(self):
     content = '<backup><duration>4</duration></backup>'.join(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note(extra=f'<voice>{i}</voice>') for i in range(7))
     document = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(content))
diff --git a/tests/test_solo.py b/tests/test_solo.py
index afbf74b..359cd89 100644
--- a/tests/test_solo.py
+++ b/tests/test_solo.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class SoloTests(unittest.TestCase):
         generator.solo.composer.validate(result)
         self.assertEqual(result.end, meter * 3)
         self.assertTrue(result.notes())
-        self.assertTrue(all(1 <= n.position.fret <= 20 for n in result.notes()))
+        self.assertTrue(all(1 <= n.position.fret <= 12 for n in result.notes()))
         self.assertEqual(result, compose(source))
   def test_motif_recurrence_and_whole_fragment_octave_quote(self):
     source = song(count=6, chords=('CM7',))
diff --git a/tests/test_voicing.py b/tests/test_voicing.py
index fdb932b..5176694 100644
--- a/tests/test_voicing.py
+++ b/tests/test_voicing.py
@@ -101,17 +101,14 @@ class VoicingTests(unittest.TestCase):
     crossing = grip((12, 13, 14, 14))
     self.assertEqual(generator.guitar.voicing_cost(crossing).effort, 6)
     self.assertEqual(generator.guitar.voicing_cost(crossing, 'electric').effort, 10)
-  def test_high_melody_keeps_its_exact_pitch_when_no_anchored_chord_fits(self):
+  def test_high_melody_fails_when_neither_anchored_chord_nor_single_note_fits(self):
     document = tests.test_musicxml.parse(tests.test_musicxml.xml_score(tests.test_musicxml.xml_note('C', octave=6)))
     note = tests.test_musicxml.notes(document)[0]
     note.update(_harmony=generator.harmony.parse_symbol('CM'), _guitar_profile='electric', _harmonize=True)
-    before = copy.deepcopy(note['pitches'])
-    with self.assertLogs('generator.guitar', level='WARNING') as messages:
+    before = copy.deepcopy(document)
+    with self.assertRaisesRegex(ValueError, 'single notes need frets 1-12'):
       generator.guitar.place_guitar(document)
-    self.assertIn('1 melody harmonizations kept as single notes', messages.output[0])
-    self.assertEqual([{k: v for k, v in p.items() if k != 'tablature'} for p in note['pitches']], before)
-    self.assertEqual(note['pitches'][0]['tablature'], {'string': 1, 'fret': 20})
-    generator.model.validate_document(document)
+    self.assertEqual(document, before)
   def test_shape_and_movement_share_one_effort_cost(self):
     shape = grip((1, 2, 3, 3))
     self.assertEqual(generator.guitar.voicing_cost(shape).effort, 2)