
Get in touch with us over at Twitter or the comments section below. Your Thoughtsĭo you have ideas, memorization techniques or exercises to share about this topic? In addition to memorization techniques, Buljan outlines a number of different exercises that will help you retain the information. I’d also recommend this fretboard memorization guide by Erik Buljan. Klaus Crow of Guitarhabits outlines a 16-day method for learning the entire fretboard, while Joe Walker of DeftDigits takes you through it in nine days.īoth articles are worth checking out, as they can each be done in less time if you want to move quicker. Other Resources for Learning Guitar Fretboard Notes Remember that the sixth and first strings are both going to be the same since they’re both an open E. If you get stuck, use the octave method to get yourself going again and go through each string several times. Once you’re ready, you can start on the fourth string by counting from the first fret up to the 12th and naming each note as you go. If you decide to go this route, wait until you’re really comfortable with the A and E string notes before you move on. Most people combine the octave method with some raw memorization. Fretboard Note Locations 1st String Notes (High E String) 2nd String Notes (B String) 3rd String Notes (G String) 4th String Notes (D String) 5th String (A. Just keep in mind that the sequence of notes will be the same, and different strings will only dictate that you’re starting with a different open note. I’ve created graphics for the fourth, third and second strings, if you prefer to memorize them that way. Since the note at the eighth fret is a C you can tell that the note at the tenth fret, on the fourth string, is also a C.Īs Justin goes on to explain, the same thing is true of the root notes on the fifth string, where the octave equivalent can be found on the third string. Thus the note on the third fret, a G, corresponds to the note on the fifth fret which is also a G.Īgain, the same principle can be applied. That means they are exactly one octave apart.

These two notes are both the same since the interval between them is 12 semitones (frets).


If you skip to the 1:30 point in the video he covers a basic octave shape, which is essentially the following tab:
