Up and Down The Strings
Up and Down The Strings
As previously discussed, learning the notes on the fretboard is one of the most
powerful skills you can develop.
In addition to being incredibly useful, it is also easy to do. Basically, there are two
approaches, learning the
notes across the frets and up and down the strings. You will need to do both. This
article will teach you how to
learn the notes up and down the strings.
The table below contains each note and all of its locations on the guitar. Print
the table to have a handy
reference. Use the following steps to learn all the note locations. It's actually easier
than remembering 12 phone
numbers.
- Memorize the note locations for each note in the table.
- Work on one note at a time, in the order listed.
- Don't use your guitar, rather, visualize the positions on the guitar as you
memorize the locations.
- When you can recall the all locations for a note in 1-2 seconds, then move
on to the next note in the table.
- Do the exercise several times a day. In the shower, on the way to work, in
a meeting.
A Note On Enharmonic Tones
You may notice that some fret/string positions have the names of 2 different
notes. These are called enharmonic tones. Which note you call them depends on
the key you are in. For example, Ab/G# are the same sound. What you call the note
depends on the key you are in. For example, an Eb scale is Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb. In
this case, Ab/G# is called Ab. An A scale is A B C# D E F# G# A. In this case, Ab/G#
is called G#.
Most people tell me they find it easier to memorize the chart as is, rather than
adding all the enharmonic tones to the chart.
