Learn The Guitar Fingerboard Thoroughly in 16 Days
Photo by John W. Tuggle
If I have to name two things that took my guitar playing to the next level I would say music theory and memorizing the fingerboard.
It made me understand the big picture.
Combining music theory (understanding scales, modes, chord structure, improvising over chord progressions, etc, etc.) and knowing all the notes on the fingerboard will open up a whole new world.
Guitar playing becomes more fun when you know what, when en where to play it on the fingerboard.
When you want to know where to play any type of chord shape instantly it’s pretty helpful if know the notes. For example: An F major Barre chord shape (133211) can be played on any fret. Every time the chord shape goes up a half step (1 fret) the name of the chord changes.
To know the name of the chord you need to know all the notes on the low E-string. For Example: The note on the 7th fret low E-string is a B note, so your chord shape becomes a B major. The only way to see this right away is to memorize the notes.
A Bb major chord shape (x13331) can also be played on any fret. This time you need to know the notes on the A-string to find out what chord you are playing. For example: The note on the 5th fret A-string is a D note, so your chord will be a D major.
To know the name of this Esus2 chord shape: (xx2452) on any fret you need to know the notes on the D-string. Example: The note on the 3rd fret D-string is a F note, so your chord becomes a Fsus2.
The same applies to scale shapes, triads, arpeggios, licks, etc.
Commit yourself to learn the fingerboard in 16 days and you will reap the benefits in many ways!
Here’s how you do it:
First things first. (Basic Music Theory)
In order to learn all the notes on the entire fingerboard you need to understand some music theory.
In music there are 7 natural notes: A B C D E F G.
Within these natural notes there are sharp notes. (# = sharp)
A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G
or flat notes. (b = flat)
A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G
When you raise a natural note, for example: A by a half step (1 fret) it becomes a sharp note: A#
When you lower a natural note, for example B by a half step (1 fret) it becomes a flat note: Bb
This applies to all of the natural notes except for B & C and E & F.
There are no sharps or flats between B & C and E & F.
In other words if you raise a B by a half step it becomes C (and not B#). If you lower a C by a half step it becomes a B (and not Cb). The same applies to E & F.
Example 1: A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A
Example 2: A Bb B C Db D Eb E F Gb G Ab A
As you can see A# and Bb are the same notes
as well as:
C# and Db,
D# and Eb,
F# and Gb,
G# and Ab.
So the natural notes follow the alphabet from A to G.
After that it starts all over again: A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C… etc.
Natural, sharp and flat notes: A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C D D# E F F# G G# A A#… etc.
Now let’s take a look at the notes on the fingerboard:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
e:|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|-B--|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|-E--|-F--|
B:|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|-E--|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|-B--|-C--|
G:|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|-B--|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|-E--|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|
D:|-D#-|-E--|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|-B--|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|
A:|-A#-|-B--|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|-E--|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|
E:|-F--|-F#-|-G--|-G#-|-A--|-A#-|-B--|-C--|-C#-|-D--|-D#-|-E--|-F--|
Note:
Assuming you already know the names of the open strings, you only need to learn frets 1 to 11. From the 12th fret upwards the notes simply repeat. The notes on the 12th fret are the same notes as those of the open strings (except for being an octave higher). Example: The note on the 12th fret low E-string is an E note, the same as the open string note. The note on the 12th fret A-string is an A note, etc.
Frets 13 to 22 are the same notes as those of frets 1 to 10 (except for being an octave higher). Example: Note on the 1st fret low E-string is an F note. Note on the 13th fret low E-string is also an F note. 2nd fret low E-string is F#, 14th fret low E-string is F#, etc.
Let’s start by memorizing the natural notes on the Low E-string. By focusing on just natural notes it is easier to learn the fingerboard by heart.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---| low E-string
Memorize the natural notes on the A-string. Repeat day 1 by recalling the natural notes on the low E-string.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize the natural notes on the D-string. Repeat day 1 and 2 by recalling the natural notes on the low E and A-string.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize the natural notes on the G-string. Repeat the previous days by recalling the natural notes on the low E, A and D-string.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize the natural notes on the B-string. Repeat the previous days by recalling the natural notes on the low E, A, D and G-string.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
The notes on the high E-string are the same as those on the Low E-string so you don’t need to memorize them, just recall. Repeat the previous days.
e:|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Another great way is to recognize octaves:
- Play a random note on the low E or A-string, then move up 2 half steps (2 frets), move up 2 strings and you’ll find an octave. (See example #1 note “F” blue and note “B” red)
- Play a random note on the D or G-string, then move up 3 half steps (3 frets), move up 2 strings and you’ll find an octave. (See example #1 note “E” black and note “A” green)
- Play a random note on the high E or B-string, then move up 2 half steps (2 frets), move down 3 strings and you’ll find an octave. (See example #2 note “F” brown and note “E” red)
- Play a random note on the G-string, then move up 3 half steps (3 frets), move down 3 strings and you’ll find an octave. (See example #2 note “D” blue)
After practicing and memorizing the octaves also repeat the previous days 1 to 6.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
e:|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|-A-|---|-B-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|-E-|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|-B-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
e:|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---| low E-string
All the notes on the 5th fret are natural notes. Memorize these. Repeat the previous days 1 to 7.
e:|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|-C-|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|-G-|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|-D-|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
All the notes on the 10th fret are natural notes. Memorize these. Repeat the previous days 1 to 8.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-A-|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-F-|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-C-|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-G-|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---| low E-string
Memorize all the A notes on the fingerboard. Play the A note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: A 5, A Open (string), A 7, A 2, A 10, A 5. Repeat the previous days 1 to 9.
e:|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-A-|---| B-string
G:|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|-A-|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize all the B notes on the fingerboard. Play the B note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: B 7, B 2, B 9, B 4, B Open (string), B 7. Repeat the previous days 1 to 10.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-B-|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|-B-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-B-|---|---| D-string
A:|---|-B-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-B-|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize all the C notes on the fingerboard. Play the C note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: C 8, C 3, C 10, C 5, C 1, C 8. Repeat the previous days 1 to 11.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-C-|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|-C-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|-C-|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-C-|---| D-string
A:|---|---|-C-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-C-|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize all the D notes on the fingerboard. Play the D note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: D 10, D 5, D Open (string), D 7, D 3, D 10. Repeat the previous days 1 to 12.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|-D-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|-D-|---|---|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-D-|---| low E-string
Memorize all the E notes on the fingerboard. Play the E note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: E Open (string), E 7, E 2, E 9, E 5, E Open (string). Repeat the previous days 1 to 13.
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---| G-string
D:|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize all the F notes on the fingerboard. Play the F note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: F 1, F 8, F 3, F 10, F 6, F 1. Repeat the previous days 1 to 14.
e:|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|-F-|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-F-|---| G-string
D:|---|---|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-F-|---|---|---| A-string
E:|-F-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Memorize all the G notes on the fingerboard. Play the G note on every string (from low E-string to high E-string) and speak the note and fret out loud. For example: G 3, G 10, G 5, G Open (string), G 8, G 3. Repeat the previous days 1 to 15.
e:|---|---|-G-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-G-|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| G-string
D:|---|---|---|---|-G-|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-G-|---| A-string
E:|---|---|-G-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string
Note: There are more ways to learn the fingerboard like memorizing the notes of scales shapes and speaking the notes out loud while you play them.
You can do the same with triads and arpeggios.
Tip: Incorporate the use of knowing the notes in your playing as much as you can with moving chord shapes (as I mentioned in the beginning of this post), scales, etc.
Get the most of this and improve your overall playing!
Leave a comment anytime you want. I appreciate it.
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Thanks,
Klaus Tol
Great article can’t wait to start memorizing my fret board
Hey Jeff,
Good luck with it. Let me know how it works out for you.
Klaus
Great Info. Thanks Man it’s really Useful and it’s a great tool for beginers.
Hey Wences,
I think it’s a great tool for advanced guitar players as well.
A lot of great guitar players still don’t know the notes but would really benefit if they can find their way around the fingerboard and make use of it.
Good luck with memorizing and bringing it into practice.
Klaus
For the record, those aren’t called whole and half notes… Whole and half notes are note lengths.
Good website for all guitar lovers.
thanks
Chris
Hi Kaleb,
You’re right. I was thinking in dutch for a moment. I changed it right away.
Thanks for the remark. I appreciate it.
Best regards,
Klaus
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the nice comment.
Cheers!
Klaus
Great Article I’m doing this as we speak I’m on day one. Excited to memorize fret board.
Thanks Klaus!
Awesome thanks for going to the trouble of making this lesson. cant wait till i have mine memorized.. i shouldve started a long time ago!
Hi Metalmaniac,
Keep me posted on your progress and if you have any questions let me know.
Best regards,
Klaus Tol
Hi Asbury,
Create a chain by marking your calendar each day you finished an assignment. This way you will be motivated to keep going every day without breaking the chain on your calendar.
It works for me.
Klaus
great lesson to learn fingerboard.. i like this..
Excellent instruction-broken down very well and logical!
He Klaus, you’re awesome and your site is great!
Just wanted to say thanks, I appreciate your time
Hi Kerem, Michaell, Vadim and Bill,
Thanks for all the kind words.
It’s my pleasure. I’ll do my best to keep up the good stuff.
Klaus
This is great man! Way back, when I first played, I played a classical guitar, but I only learned notes to the fifth fret. This is a great method, and I can’t wait to start with the program. Tomorrow’s my day one, then. Rock on, man.
Hi Franz,
When I first started out I only learned the notes on the low E-string and A string, but I can tell you once I had learned all the notes on the fretboard it definitely opened up my eyes and understanding of how things connected which really helped my playing a lot.
Good luck!
Klaus
Breaking it down into smaller chunks is a better approach than most of my tutorial DVD’s on the same subject.
Thanks Klaus
Hi Martin,
I’m a big fan of small steps. It’s the best way to achieve your goals.
Klaus
I’ve created a video that helps people learn all the notes using the universal note pattern:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Srj8Rw7dzk&feature=related
I was very excited about finding this site, read and printed the instructions.
It’s a interesting process — to ID daily steps — but the instructions boil down to “memorize”
It sure would be helpful if a strategy to accomplish that — “memorize” — were described.
I’ve been trying, but it’s just not coming.
Thank you!
I can’t tell you how happy I am about having found this. I just started today but I’m already making so much progress. It’s complementing my Guitar Fretboard Workbook really nicely. I started playing a year and a half ago, and while I know tons of chords and can strum well, it bothered me that I didn’t know what any of it meant (in a formal music way). My goal is to write songs and I think this will help a lot.
Thank you so much for taking the time to break it down into doable steps- that’s the only way I can learn, otherwise I just get overwhelmed. :)
Awesome!
Really helpful!
Do you have any tips regarding accidentals? (sharps/flats)
Or should i just go about learning them the same way as in days 1-6 & 10 -16?
Cheers,
Jacob
Really liked the article!!
Please guys… Check out muy music!!
Apreciated!
http://www.nota-sonotra.com
Look up for us in FBook!!
Peace!!
thnx mate.
Thanks for the effort. Useful stuff, will definitely recommend this page.
Thanks Robert,
I appreciate it!
Klaus
Thank you for this! I will be practicing this as soon as I get home. Very nice article. Let me know if you have any other suggestion such as these.
I just finished it all today! thanks a lot! it really helped me! :)
Hey klaus..!!
this is helping me tremendously….
love it…!!the info in this should be known by each guitarist..
U rock..\m/
Great Article! This is a huge help since I’m teaching myself guitar but never knew the names of notes until i read this. I know a lot of chords and am decent at strumming but I’ve been teaching myself with tabs and thats simply too easy and my goal has always been to learn the theory behind it and this is helping a lot. Thanks a lot!!
Thank you so much ! you are doing a great job :)