Best method for learning the notes on fingerboard?

[kingsxman]

I'm realizing that a big part of my current struggles is I dont have a good understanding of what notes are where on the fingerboard. I tend to know high and low E string notes...but not the rest.

What are some methods that people have used to be able to learn to quickly identify and move to a note on the fretboard?

[rwe333]

If you know the order of the 12 notes, the names of the open strings and know how to tune, then you already have some points of reference: open, 12th fret, fret used to tune next string, etc... Work from those references and plug in the notes:

Sure you know this, but what the hell:

The 12 notes:
A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab

The 6 strings:
6 = E
5 = A
4 = D
3 = G
2 = B
1 = E

Also use things like octave positions to help get notes in middle strings (relate to the lower or higher note you recognize).

[Tim Bowen]

There's a bunch of different methods, but here's the approach I use with my students:

* I give them guitar fingerboard charts, and with a yellow highlighter pen, I color in frets # 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 (the inlay dots, up to the octave). I start with just the low E and A strings, and write the names of the notes at those frets on the chart, for only those two strings. I ask them to memorize not only the names of those notes, but the fret numbers for each.

* I give them a diagram of the piano keyboard, which clearly lays out the whole step and half step relationships between the notes. I show them the formula for constructing a major scale (in terms of steps, 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1/2). I have them build major scales in 6 or 7 different keys.

* I then show them the format for a I - IV - V twelve bar chord progression, and ask them to transpose and complete charts for each of the keys that we built major scales for.

* I ask them to go home and find every possible way to play the notes contained within those charts, on only those two strings. I explain that some of the notes will not be found on the "dots", and that they'll likely need to cross reference to the piano keyboard diagram.

* After that, I add one new string per week, and continue the process. Along the way, I start introducing notes above the 12th fret. When all six strings have been addressed, I give them reference material and a lesson based on the "CAGED" method, with diagrams that illustrate the octave shapes, as they fall on the board.

* After all six strings have been learned, I turn on a metronome, toss out a particular note at random, and have the student play that note in each place that it occurs on the board, ascending from low to high, and descending as well, in time with the metronome. I start with whole notes to allow a bit of a safety net, and then move toward half notes and quarter notes. At that point, they're visualizing the board and thinking on their feet quite quickly.


The majority of my students are currently reading standard musical notation in open position, up to the fifth fret. My method prepares them to move forward with their reading, and it facilitates use of devices such as moveable chord shapes as well. As compared to the more linear format of the piano, the guitar is a visually perplexing instrument for many. I do have diagrams that contain every single note on the board; however, I find this to be overwhelming and intimidating - too much information. I don't give students a copy of this diagram until they've completed the aforementioned program. Typical response at this point is, "Well hey, why didn't you give me this in the first place?" The answer is simple - because you don't really assimilate until you scratch and dig around for yourself. My "connect the dots" method has been quite successful, I must say. Of course, if you play a nylon string classical guitar, you're sorta hosed with my method - no dots on the board!

[Tom Gross]

I've found that finding the octave (e.g. down 2 strings and up 2 frets) is a good next step after one knows the E & A string. Then you can find it there and translate.
Then find the same note up or down 1 string.
Then find the notes in the keys you always play (A & E)

Then do all the stuff you really need to do that is outlined in the other posts to actually learn it.

[dkaplowitz]

A quote from the Classical Guitar FAQ (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/classical/guitar/faq/)


Learn your fretboard vertically and horizontally.

1. Take some 3x5 index cards and make some flash cards. You will need
12 cards, one for each fret. Put a fret number on 1 side of the
card and names of the notes at the fret on the other side. When
you're through you should have the following:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

bottom (string 6)

F F# G G# A B~ B C C# D D# E~ E
B~ B C C# D E~ E F F# G G# A~ A
E~ E F F# G A~ A B~ B C C# D~ D
A~ A B~ B C D~ D E~ E F F# G~ G
C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B~ B
F F# G G# A B~ B C C# D D# E~ E

top (string 1)

Learn the notes on the frets in this order.

1. Frets 12, 5, 10 (frets with no sharps or flats)
2. When you have those memorized add frets 7, 3 (1 sharp, 1 flat)
3. When you have that memorized add frets 8, 2 (2 sharps, 2 flats)
4. When you have that memorized add frets 9, 1 (3 sharps, 3 flats)
5. When you have that memorized add frets 4, 6 (4 sharps, 4 flats)
6. When you have that memorized add fret 11 (5 sharps, 5 flats)

Take your time in doing this (you'll spend a lifetime learning
the guitar). Add the next set of frets when you have the others down
cold. If it takes two weeks or more, that's fine. You'll find
many opportunities throughout the day to practice this. As you
do this exercise, you may find that the first frets you tackled
will be much stronger than the frets you add later. You can
prevent this problem by reciting the notes in the reverse order you them.
That is, name the notes on the newest frets first, the oldest frets
last.

When you're able to recite all 12 frets in 30 seconds, starting
at fret 1 and working to 12 AND starting at fret 12 and working
to 1, then move on to the next exercise.

2. Make another set of 12 flash cards. Number each card 1 through
12 as above. On the other side put one of the notes C, C#, D,
D#(E~), E, F, F#, G, G#, A, B~, B. There is no correlation between
the number on one side and the note on the other. They are used
for two different exercises.


Do this exercise at least once a day.Shuffle the cards and flip them
number side up. Name the notes at the fret indicated for each card.


3. Start learning the notes horizontally. Meaning, where the notes
are on each string. Learn the notes in this order:
C G D A E B F# C# G# D#(E~) B~ F. For example, you can
find C at frets 8,3,10,5,1, and 8. Learn them a note at a time,
only adding a new note when you've got the last one cold. Remember,
this is an additive process, recite positions for C, then G and C,
then D,G, and C.... Here's a tip: Given the starting position,
the next position can be found by subtracting 5 for all strings
other than 3. If the position is on string 3 subtract 4. If the
position is less than 5, then the next position will be the current
position +7, unless you're on string 3 then it's +8. For example
string: 6 5 4 3 2 1
C = 8 (-5) 3 (+7) 10 (-5) 5 (-4) 1 (+7) 8

[exhaust_49]

I've been playing guitar a year and still don't know the names of the notes at each fret. A couple of these sound like they would work for me. I'll give a it a shot and see what happens.

GREAT POST!

[harryjmic]

This is not an easy method but it is the best. Learn how to read music. Once you can read something in the 1st position translate this to other positions. You will learn that there are 3 g's, one on each of the 1st three strings. Know your chords and what notes make up the chord. Play the chord then be able to call out each note which is played within that chord. This will also help you to see chord shapes on the guitar.

[BFC]

This is a great site for practicing the notes of the board...

Fretboard Warrior (www.fretboardwarrior.com)

[dkaplowitz]

Originally posted by Tim Bowen
* After all six strings have been learned, I turn on a metronome, toss out a particular note at random, and have the student play that note in each place that it occurs on the board, ascending from low to high, and descending as well, in time with the metronome. I start with whole notes to allow a bit of a safety net, and then move toward half notes and quarter notes. At that point, they're visualizing the board and thinking on their feet quite quickly.
That's a great exercise. And great post, BTW. I'm not much of a teacher myself (still learning I guess), but I'm curious to know how receptive the guitar players you teach are to this kind of discipline? What age range are you teaching? I'm just curious. It's great stuff, I'm just amazed people are actually doing the work...esp. guitar players.

[exhaust_49]

If you've got the drive to play well, anyone will gladly do the work.

[Tim Bowen]

Originally posted by dkaplowitz
That's a great exercise. And great post, BTW. I'm not much of a teacher myself (still learning I guess), but I'm curious to know how receptive the guitar players you teach are to this kind of discipline? What age range are you teaching? I'm just curious. It's great stuff, I'm just amazed people are actually doing the work...esp. guitar players.

Thanks, D. I currently have about 35 weekly students, and the age range is from 6 to folks in their fourties. The approach that I described above is an ongoing process that I chip away at with them, a little bit at a time. I've found more success by assigning an assortment of small, interesting tasks to students, than by bogging them down in any one area of study. When I feel that a student is ready for the metronome workout, I don't always start randomly (depends on the individual) - with some, I'll ask them to go home and work on, say, a G note, and be prepared to do the workout for the next class, when we get together again. I sometimes assign notes in advance for a few weeks before I toss out the random exercises. I always tell students that it's okay to make mistakes at their classes - but it's not okay to not make note of them, and not work on improving any problem areas.

For whatever reasons, youngsters seem to be fascinated by metronomes, whereas I've noticed that some of my adults are a bit intimidated by them. With the kids, I turn the metronome workouts into fun little games that they really seem to enjoy.

[wen51]

I recently tried the flash card method. I wrote out the notes on the staff so I can reference the notes location for reaing purposes. Also, when I play scales, I slow down and say the notes and try to associate the notes with the positions I memorize. If you stick with it It works. I said if you stick with it works. Ha Ha.

[lhallam]

Sorry if this is redundant, I'm too lazy to read everyone's posts.

This worked with all my students.

Memorize these rules.

Rule #1

Notes go:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A..etc

Look at this keyboard:

http://www.smu.edu/totw/keybrd2.gif

There is a pattern of three black keys, two adjacent white keys, two black keys, then two adjacent white keys.

The note "A", is the first adjacent white key to the left of the last of the three black keys.

Going from left to right playing only the white keys they go A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A.

When you play a white key and then an adjacent black key, that sound is termed a minor second AKA one half step. For example play "A" and then the next black key to the right you get "A#" AKA "Bb".

Now notice that there is no black key between B and C and no black key between E and F.

That is because playing a B and then a C the sound is one half step. The same applies for E to F.

Rule #2

From B to C = one half step AKA minor 2nd
From E to F = one half step AKA minor 2nd
All the rest are whole steps AKA Major 2nd.

In other words, play an A and then a B the sound is one whole step,
B to C = 1/2 step or minor 2nd
C-D = whole step or Major 2nd
D-E = whole step or Major 2nd
E-F = 1/2 step or minor 2nd
F-G = whole step or Major 2nd
G-A = whole step or Major 2nd.

Rule #3

Each fret on the guitar equals one half step.
Two frets on the guitar equals one whole step.

That's it. Based on these rules you can figure out every note on the guitar.

So starting on the low E string (6th string) play an E, then put your finger on the first fret. That note is an F. (E to F = one 1/2 step or 1 fret). Put your finger on the third fret to play a G (F to G = one whole step or two frets).

Here's your homework.

Starting on the 6th string, play open and name the note OUT LOUD.
Then play an F, name the note OUT LOUD.

Keep going up the neck playing each natural note (ie. No sharps or flats) until you get the to the 12th fret which is E an octave higher from the open string and name each note out loud.

Now go BACK DOWN the neck and play & name each natural note out loud until you get to open E.

E = open
F = 1st fret
G = 3rd fret
A = 5th fret
B = 7th fret
C = 8th fret
D = 10th fret
E = 12th fret

Do this everyday and within a week or so, you should have it down. Now to find sharps, just go up one fret from the natural note. ex F# = 2nd fret.

To find the flats go down one fret from the natural note. ex. Ab = 4th fret

Once you get the E string down, start on the next string (5th open A). Figure out the notes using the above rules. My serious students got the whole gtr down in about 5 weeks (one string a week). Once you learn E, you've got the 1st string.

Note that the pattern repeats from the 12th up to the 21st or 22nd fret. So once you memorize up to the 12th, you've got the rest.

[enharmonic]

Any chance of this thread getting a sticky? :)

Thanks, guys!

[dhodgeh]

A method suggested by Satriani is to pick one note on a nightly basis.

Set your metronome to 60 bpm, and play just that note in all possible positions for 3 - 5 minutes.

At the next practice session, pick another note.

I've got a vb script program that will pick the note for me on a (somewhat) random basis.

hth

D

[-CM-]

Here's a link to very good computer program for learning the fretboard. http://www.absolutefretboard.com

[cubado]

+1 on sticky this post!

rwe... TimBowen... lhallam...

excellent & informative posts!!

my son & i are going to try these out!!

cheers and keep the exercises coming!!

[dkaplowitz]

If the above flash card method gets boring, modify it to have 12 cards for each of the 12 tones (at least 144 cards, more if you make new ones for enharmonic equivalents, which you should). On one side is the note, say "C" and a fret number, say "7". On the other side of the card, will be the chord tones on that fret related to C. So for fret 7 it would be (B) M7 - (E) M3 - (A) M6 - (D) 9 - (F#) #4/#11 - and (B) M7 again. That one should slow you down a little bit if just naming the notes on the fret becomes too easy.

I keep meaning to write a Perl script to do this and make it a CGI that works on the web so you can do the drill from a web page. If I get around to it, I'll post the link here.

[waxnsteel]

Now go BACK DOWN the neck and play & name each natural note out loud until you get to open E.


Great method. I'll add when you "say" the note name out loud, sing it, or at least say it at the same pitch. Might as well train your voice and youre ears while you're training your brain and your hands. Might not work for everyone, but it will for some.

And of course, practice in tune to play in tune.

[yeahyeahyeah]

any free software anywhere?

[J.T.]

Learn how to read standard notation .....period.........

[K-man]

This is not an easy method but it is the best. Learn how to read music. Once you can read something in the 1st position translate this to other positions. You will learn that there are 3 g's, one on each of the 1st three strings. Know your chords and what notes make up the chord. Play the chord then be able to call out each note which is played within that chord. This will also help you to see chord shapes on the guitar.

+1. I found that Bach's Inventions work really well. It will improve your timing and picking technique as well.

[yZe]

What I did is play the c major scale and say each note out loud at the same time I picked them

I did this in all positions on the neck so that I would know all of the NATURAL (non-sharp/flat notes)

Then I moved to the key of 1 sharp (G) and did the same
Then the key of 1 flat (F)
then the key of 2 sharps(D)
then the key of 2 flats(Bb)

this way you spoon feed yourself a new sharp or flat each time

[daddyo]

This worked for me. I found all the E notes on my axe up to the 12th fret. As I had already memorized the intervals between the notes, I knew that the Fs were one fret above every E. The Gs were two frets above the Fs. Then I'd play the sequence E-F-G everywhere. This came easy to the ear as it is also the first 3 notes on the high E string that you learn from your first couple of guitar lessons. Next I memorized the C notes. Then I knew the B was one fret below. D two frets above. A was the last note which is two frets above G. It really is just wrote like the times table. Maybe memorizing the C major scale would be a better way as then you also have that intervalic sound memorized which is handy for chord theory, etc.

[jspax7]

Learn how to read standard notation .....period.........

That's a good point. I'd also recommend getting some fretboard diagrams, and writing triads all over the neck.
C major. (CEG everywhere you can find it.)
A minor. (ACE everywhere you can find it.)
Then play them everywhere on the neck.

Then move them to:
D maj/B min,
A maj/F#min,
G maj/ E min,
E maj/C#min.

Play along with backing tracks in the appropriate keys, matching triads to chords. Practice spelling out chords, and playing the triads. These are the building blocks of music.

Later you can expand the triads to 7ths, (4 notes) Pentatonics, (5 notes) and scales, (7 notes) but you will always see the chord. (triad)

[MoRawk]

http://www.thecipher.com/index.html

Music theory for the guitarist. Awesome site and I wish I found this before I bought all my theory books.

If you want to learn where all the notes are...from the site, read the sections on Pattern of Octaves and Unisions. If you learn that pattern, you can find all the notes on the fretboard.

[Pythagoras]

I have been at this for about fifteen years and heres is where I am at.

I bought a cheap Yamaha acoustic and outfitted it with Planet Waves self clipping tuners. In no particular order I put one string on at a time. Then I try to play as musically as possible in all twelve keys on that one string. I play modes, I read Charlie Parker heads and do my best not to let the severe limitation affect my playing.

After I do this for a year or so I want to add a string and exaustively practice on the availble two string couplings.

That is my some what extreme method for fretboard mastery.

In the past I have written all sorts of charts out (vertical and horizontal), done the Satriani drill and am currently reading through Bach lute Suites (fingerstyle). These have all been invaluable along the way.

Once a player has some working knowledge of the fret board I would HIGHLY reccomend doing any and everything you play in all twelve keys. This means scales, tunes, exercises ect..

the all twelve key ethic is much clearer on a piano or a saxophone because there is usually only one fingering for a given tone (we can have up to 6 on 24 fret guitars), however looking at the guitar in terms of keys is still important because thats the way we organize tonal music.

I think that a players connection to his fretboard starts at a visual level and then gets into your ears, after that it goes deeper into your intuitive sense.

For my music this is one of the most important things to work on, when I look at what is holding me back on the guitar I usually start here.

[Luke]

http://www.thecipher.com/index.html


I always felt music theory was unneccesarily complicated with the B->C, E->F issues. Numbers make the most sense IMO, if you know the open string is "6" and you are on the 4th fret, the note has to be "10".

Personally I prefer "A" as the zero however.

The numerical system of note names is the equivilant of the metric system improvement of imperial measurements.

[daddyo]

I always felt music theory was unneccesarily complicated with the B->C, E->F issues. Numbers make the most sense IMO, if you know the open string is "6" and you are on the 4th fret, the note has to be "10".

Personally I prefer "A" as the zero however.

The numerical system of note names is the equivilant of the metric system improvement of imperial measurements.

An interesting system but how would you call a C7chord: 0-4-7-10? How would you indicate an Am7-D9 vamp? How would that fit on a lead sheet? Any outside chord would require the little exponential number to indicate the next octave. Bbm11?

[Rock Johnson]

I always felt music theory was unneccesarily complicated with the B->C, E->F issues. Numbers make the most sense IMO, if you know the open string is "6" and you are on the 4th fret, the note has to be "10".

Personally I prefer "A" as the zero however.

The numerical system of note names is the equivilant of the metric system improvement of imperial measurements.

Problem with using numbers is that much of music theory is based on using the numbered degrees of the scale, and THAT part of music theory is very logical. Using numbers to label "real" notes as well as scale degrees would be confusing.

Letters work well to name individual notes, but they should have used A through L instead of A through G. In other words...

A=A
B=A#/Bb
C=B
D=C
E=C#/Db
F=D
G=D#/Eb
H=E
I=F
J=F#/Gb
K=G
L=G#/Ab

Seems like it would be more logical than the current system.

[hucklebee]

I always thought that Ted Greene nailed fretboard understanding in the first page of Chord Chemistry for Guitar.

An absolute essential book.

[vroom]

I always thought that Ted Greene nailed fretboard understanding in the first page of Chord Chemistry for Guitar.

An absolute essential book.

http://www.amazon.com/Chord-Chemistry-Ted-Greene/dp/0898986966/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product/104-1803113-4095960

If you click on the picture, you'll be able to check out a few pages of the book. Fortunately, the "Exerpt" page is the one on the notes of the fretboard.

[e-z]

I have been at this for about fifteen years and heres is where I am at.

I bought a cheap Yamaha acoustic and outfitted it with Planet Waves self clipping tuners. In no particular order I put one string on at a time. Then I try to play as musically as possible in all twelve keys on that one string. I play modes, I read Charlie Parker heads and do my best not to let the severe limitation affect my playing.

After I do this for a year or so I want to add a string and exaustively practice on the availble two string couplings.

That is my some what extreme method for fretboard mastery.

In the past I have written all sorts of charts out (vertical and horizontal), done the Satriani drill and am currently reading through Bach lute Suites (fingerstyle). These have all been invaluable along the way.

Once a player has some working knowledge of the fret board I would HIGHLY reccomend doing any and everything you play in all twelve keys. This means scales, tunes, exercises ect..

the all twelve key ethic is much clearer on a piano or a saxophone because there is usually only one fingering for a given tone (we can have up to 6 on 24 fret guitars), however looking at the guitar in terms of keys is still important because thats the way we organize tonal music.

I think that a players connection to his fretboard starts at a visual level and then gets into your ears, after that it goes deeper into your intuitive sense.

For my music this is one of the most important things to work on, when I look at what is holding me back on the guitar I usually start here.


Sounds like you've been reading Mick Goodrick's "The Advancing Guitarist" book.

The playing on one string idea is very good.