10 Things You Gotta Know About the Fingerboard -Page 4-

9.SHIFT YOUR GAZE 

By using a different graphic symbol for each chord tone as in Fig. 11, it’s easy to see how these five connecting C-chord shapes originate in open position with the circular C roots, the diamond-shaped Es, and the square Gs all happening simultaneously. Practice breaking each chord tone into its own discrete “dipper”—for Cmaj7, play all roots (Cs), followed by all 3’s (Es), all 5’s (Gs), and all 7’s (B’s)—to create unique arpeggios.

10.REDEFINE THE MAP 

Finally, let’s have another look at Figures 1 and 2 from a more informed perspective. Fig. 12 organizes the 12-fret template of natural notes into five distinct C major scale patterns, each of which adheres to the root positions of its related chord shape. The entire template may be shifted up or down to transpose the whole fretboard to any key—up a half-step for C#/ Db, up a whole-step for D, up one-and-a-half steps for D#/Eb, and so on. Of course these are all virtual dots and position markers, so we have to train ourselves to visualize these patterns on demand. The “Big Dipper,” five major chord shapes, and five major scale patterns (which also contain all seven modes) provide a universal point of reference originating from any note in any position. Commit them to memory and you’ll never feel lost again!
Jesse Gress is the author of The Guitar Cookbook.

Source Article : http://www.guitarplayer.com

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10 Things You Gotta Know About the Fingerboard -Page 3-

6.TRAVEL THE SPACEWAYS 

See how the roots in Fig. 5 appear on the fifth and third strings? That’s because we’ve shifted the entire root template down one link and added the missing link one octave higher. This maps out all six A’s between the open and twelfth positions and creates a visual variation in our “Big Dipper,” but all we’re really doing is starting the same template from a different reference point. Fig. 6 bumps the template down another link to reveal six G’s, and Figures 7 and 8 continue the process with E’s and D’s respectively, until we come full circle back to C. Place the template anywhere on a 12-fret grid to immediately locate all six locations for any note, and then repeat it beginning 12 frets higher to cover the full range of the guitar. Why use C, A, G, E, and D as reference points? Glad you asked!

7.REDISCOVER YOUR ROOTS 

Our “Big Dipper” also provides a moveable template of all root locations and connections for the five basic open-string, major chord shapes—C, A, G, E, and D. (What’s that spell?) These are determined and named by their lowest possible fretboard positions, and each shape utilizes a different configuration of root notes, as confirmed by the memory-refreshing chord grids in Fig. 9. Always, and without exception, you’ll find the roots of these chord shapes located as follows:

“C” shape = roots on fifth and second strings.

“A” shape = roots on fifth and third strings.
“G” shape = roots on sixth, third, and first strings.
“E” shape = roots on sixth, fourth, and first strings.
“D” shape = roots on fourth and second strings.
(Did I mention always and without exception?) Line ’em all up on the grid, and…

8.CONNECT THE DOTS 

Fig. 10 shows how the C, A, G, E, and D shapes connect to form five different C-chord voicings between the 1st and 13th frets. This unifies the fretboard and illustrates how each shape connects via one or two root notes. Sing it with me now: “The “C” shape’s connected to the “A” shape, the “A” shape’s connected to the “G” shape, the “G” shape’s connected to the “E” shape, the “E” shape’s connected to the “D” shape, the “D” shape’s connected to the “C” shape,” and so on. Now, look deeper and…

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10 Things You Gotta Know About the Fingerboard -Page 2-

3.ADD ACCIDENTALS ON PURPOSE

The remaining five tones within any octave (an increment of 12 half-steps) are annotated using accidentals, or sharp and flat symbols. A sharp (#) raises a note by one half-step, while a flat (b) lowers it a half-step. Enharmonic notes occur when two different accidentals are used to indicate the same pitch, i.e., A#=Bb, C#=Db, D#=Eb, F#=Gb, and G#=Ab. The grid illustrated in Fig. 2 fills in the holes in Fig. 1 with all of the missing accidentals, completing the “big picture.” Think of it as your universe. Now, let’s start breaking down this giant cluster***k and find out what’s really going on here.

4.REPEAT YOURSELF

 

Fig. 3 diagrams the guitar’s five middle Cs on five different strings. (Fact: Standard guitar notation sounds an octave lower than written.) Notice how the notes on any pair of adjacent strings are equidistant (five frets apart) except between the second and third strings, where the distance is reduced by one fret. Once you realize that this relationship is always maintained regardless of what note you start with, you can find unisons on higher or lower strings by using the same formula, except in the extreme low and high registers where notes only appear once. (Lick of the Day: Pick any pitch that appears four times and play it sequentially on four adjacent strings. Repeat many times in either direction as quickly as possible.) Next, we add some octaves and…

5.ENTER THE MATRIX 

Any given note can be found in various octaves at six locations between open position and the 12th fret. Because the fretboard repeats itself one octave higher starting at the 13th fret, so do any notes and shapes you apply to it. In Fig. 4 we pinpoint on the matrix all Cs below the 12th fret, and connect them to form a six-point template that can be moved to any position on the fingerboard. Like a constellation, this “Big Dipper” maintains its shape as it floats around to different positions in the note matrix. As the “dipper” moves towards the nut, any points in the shape that vanish below open position reappear an octave higher below the 12th fret. Conversely, any points that rise above the 12th fret reappear starting at the 1st fret. Let’s get moving and…

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Learn The Guitar Fingerboard Thoroughly in 16 Days

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:

All 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.

Day 1
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 2
Memorize the natural notes on the A-string. Repeat day 1 by recalling the natural notes on the low E-string.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 3
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 4
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 5
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

  Day 6
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 7 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.

Example #1
    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

Example #2
    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

Day 8
All the notes on the 5th fret are natural notes. Memorize these. Repeat the previous days 1 to 7.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 9
All the notes on the 10th fret are natural notes. Memorize these. Repeat the previous days 1 to 8.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  ;
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

Day 10
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 11
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 12
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  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

Day 13
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 14
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
e:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| high E-string
B:|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---| B-string
G:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---| G-string
D:|---|-E-|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| D-string
A:|---|---|---|---|---|---|-E-|---|---|---|---| A-string
E:|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| low E-string

Day 15
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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

Day 16
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.
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11
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, intervals, triads, licks, etc.
Get the most of this and improve your overall playing!

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10 Things You Gotta Know About the Fingerboard

EVER FEEL A LITTLE OUT OF TOUCH OR just plain lost on certain parts of the guitar fingerboard? You’re certainly not alone. Consider this: A standard-tuned, 6-string guitar with a 22-fret ’board has a range just shy of four octaves and contains five middle Cs, while a full-size piano keyboard covers over seven octaves yet it has only one middle C. What’s up with that?!? It’s simply the nature of the instrument. By design, the keyboard relegates any given pitch to a single key, while the guitar fingerboard offers anywhere from one to five different string and fret locations for the same note. These multiple repetitions of the same pitch afford guitarists many options for where to play any given note, but they also cause considerable confusion for beginners or players who often feel lost above the 5th fret, particularly on the inside four strings. Memorizing the address, (i.e., location) of each and every note on the fingerboard can take years, but there are ways to hasten the process. Wanna know how to find and maintain your bearings anywhere on the fretboard? First, you’ve gotta...

1.KNOW YOUR BASICS

Let’s begin by reviewing some rudimentary musical knowledge. The basic units of measurement in Western music are the half-step, or semitone, which translates on the guitar to a distance of one fret, and the whole-step, or whole tone, which covers two frets. The musical alphabet consists of seven natural notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. All of these adjacent notes are spaced a whole-step apart, with two exceptions, B-to-C and E-to-F, which are half-steps. With all that in mind, it’s time to…

2.MAP THE TERRITORY
 

Compare the guitar fingerboard to a piano keyboard, the birthplace of music theory, and you’ll find that while the keyboard separates natural notes and accidentals (sharps and flats—more on those in a minute) into tidy white and black keys that lie along a horizontal plane and repeat every octave, the guitar offers no such easy path to note recognition. Many traditional beginner methods cover notes up to the 3rd or 5th fret, but above that, we are essentially left to our own devices. Placed on a full fingerboard grid, or matrix, the natural notes manifest as shown in Fig. 1. Granted, that’s a lot of notes to memorize, but the first thing to remember is that unless you change tunings, every note’s address is permanent. They ain’t going nowhere. Now, what about all those empty spaces?

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