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:
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.
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
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
- 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
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
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!
