Knowing the guitar fretboard notes is a crucial component to becoming a proficient guitarist. Having command of the guitar fretboard will give you the knowledge, skill, and confidence to master your instrument and be the player you want to be.
At first glance memorizing the notes of the fretboard seems like a near impossible task. Chords are easy to learn, but with 6 strings and up to 24 frets, that's 144 guitar fretboard notes to commit to memory! I can't even remember why I walked into the kitchen half the time.
Don't worry though, once you break the fretboard down into digestible chunks, it isn't nearly as intimidating. It really isn't too difficult to find manageable segments and approaches of looking at the guitar fretboard.
Let's go into more detail and show you exactly how anyone, including you, can learn the notes of the guitar.
Guitar Fretboard Notes, Theory, And Practice
Today we will learn how the fretboard is arranged and how the notes are laid out. We will then look at reasons you should memorize the fretboard before finally looking at some techniques you can apply to start memorizing the guitar fretboard notes.
Fretboard Basics
The first thing we should do is become acquainted with the actual fretboard.
Fret Markers
Fret markers are the little dots you see along the fretboard. They are either a single dot or a pair of dots depending on their position. Sometimes your neck will have matching dots along the side of the neck.
These fret markers denote the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th frets of the fretboard. Depending on the length of your guitar and the number of frets, you can also find fret markers on the 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, and 24th frets.
Note Locations
Without fretting any strings, the open notes of the guitar are, from low to high, E - A - D - G - B - e. Each string follows what is called a chromatic scale. The chromatic scale is, simply put, the 12 notes available before they reset and start over.
For example, on the open low E string, the chromatic scale is:
- E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E
Each note can be found on each individual fret. For example, F is on the 1st fret, A is the 5th fret, and so on until we start over again at E on the 12th fret. This process is replicable on each individual string.
The reason we can stop memorizing at the 12th fret is because that is an octave and where the chromatic scale starts all over again.
Here is a diagram of the guitar fretboard note up to the 12th fret.
Why Should You Memorize The Fretboard
Now that we know the basic layout of the fretboard and the individual note locations, you may be wondering why should you memorize the fretboard to begin with?
Building Chords
As discussed in some of our other lessons (like A7, B7, and Em7), chords are built using individual notes. If you have an understanding of note locations you can start building your own chords.
Building Scales
Another important function of the fretboard is being able to play scales. For example, the C Major scale contains the notes C - D - E - F - G - A - B. If you know where each of these notes are located, you can start playing your own scales.
Improv
One of the best times you can have as a musician is just jamming with other musicians. The freedom of knowing the fretboard comes along with the ability to just pickup and play with others while only knowing the key.
Confidence
With the fretboard memorized you will feel confident in your abilities to play, build chords, run scales, and improvise with the best of them. If you have the knowledge, you only have to improve your technical abilities.
How To Memorize The Fretboard
There are a few different techniques you can use to memorize the fretboard. They tend to work best in conjunction with each other. These methods are:
Memorize One String
Going slow and picking one string at a time is much easier and simpler to cement this knowledge into your brain. As we mentioned above, each string follows a chromatic scale. From low E to high e the notes look like:
- e - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E
- B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B
- G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G
- D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D
- A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A
- E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E
or
But, since we know that #'s and b's fall in between the natural notes, we don't have to memorize their positions. We can just internalize that they are in between the notes we DO memorize.
So, if we start with the low E string and eliminate all of the #'s and b's, we only have to memorize eight note positions. which will look like
- E - F - G - A - B - C - D - E
or
Pick the low E string. Play the E note open. Memorize the chromatic scale on that string but skip the #'s and b's. You can make a mental note that the gaps on the fretboard are there.
The reason we start with the low E string is because once you have it mastered, you have the high e memorized, as well.
You can practice your fretboard knowledge by printing out this blank template and filling in the notes yourself.
Practice Finding And Playing The Same Notes
Once you have learned the notes of each string, you can start working on weaving that knowledge together. Knowing how to play a single string at a time isn't useful. But knowing how each of those strings work together is where the real magic starts.
So, once again, we will start with the open low E string. The E note is located on each string at various points along the fretboard.
- the low E string open and on the 12th fret
- the A string on the 7th fret
- the D string on the 2nd fret
- the G string on the 9th fret
- the B string on the 5th fret
- the high e string open and on the 12th fret
or
This concept repeats for every note and every string. Since you have already started memorizing each individual string, you already know each note location. Now you are applying their locations in relation to other strings.
Set your metronome for a low setting and slowly play each E across each string. Don't rush, just slowly increase the tempo until you can play at a high speed flawlessly.
Do this for each note.
Once you have mastered each note at a high speed, you will want to switch up the order in which you play the notes. Guitar is partly about muscle memory. You don't want to just know the locations of the notes in a pattern. you want to know them regardless of which note was played before.
You can even play different notes. For example, make a game where you play a chromatic scale in order but skipping each string. Or try playing all of the D notes in reverse, starting with the 10th fret on high e.
Tips For Success
The above memorization techniques are sure to set you on the path of success. Here are some tips you can follow to get the most out of your practice.
Go Slow
Take your time. As guitarists, we want to play fast. You'll get there. But first, start slow, build a good, solid, foundation of technique.
Be Patient
Skill and memorization takes time. Its easy to get frustrated. But if you go slow and stay patient, you WILL reach your goals.
Practice Consistently
Doing just a little every day is more effective than having one long practice session a week. If you set a steady guitar practice routine and stick to it regularly you will memorize all of the guitar fretboard notes in no time.
Find A Teacher/Instructional Book
If you want a more formalized approach, you can look for a teacher locally or pickup some instructional books. We recommend Fretboard Theory I & II. You can also get yourself started with some Fretboard stickers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do you memorize notes on a guitar fretboard?
Create a system, practice daily, only take on small segments at a time. Eventually, you will memorize all of the guitar fretboard notes.
Q2. What are the notes on the guitar fretboard?
The open strings of the guitar fretboard are, from low to high, E, A, D, G, B, and e.
Q3. How do you read a guitar fretboard?
Each string follows the chromatic scale. From the high e string to low E, open string to the 12th fret, the fretboard reads:
- e - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E
- B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B
- G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G
- D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D
- A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A
- E - F - F#/Gb - G - G#/Ab - A - A#/Bb - B - C - C#/Db - D - D#/Eb - E
Q4. Should I memorize the guitar fretboard?
Yes. Memorizing the guitar fretboard will only make you a better player in the long run.
Conclusion
Now you know what notes make up the fretboard, where they are located, and how to make a plan to memorize each of their locations.
This knowledge will unlock a brand new world of playing for you.
Good luck!
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