danglybanger
ReelItInologist
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
don't know how I got along before I knew all that :laugh2:
don't know how I got along before I knew all that :laugh2:
Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
- Thread starter Artie
- Start date
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
The idea is to be in control. That's why! If I'm playing a solo and the current chord is Cm7, let's say. Well, I might really dig the sound of an 11th played against Cm7. In this context, the note I'm looking for is F. Or maybe I really dig the sound of a 13th played against my min 7th chord. In this case I'm looking for the note A.
The problem is that I'm in the heat of improvisation and there's no telling what position I'm gonna find myself playing on neck at any given moment. So to get my 11th or 13th sounds that I'm looking for then I need to know how to find them instantly anywhere on the neck.
Or lets say that I'm looking at C7 in the middle of a solo. Well I can pick a G Aeolian mode (See Pat Martino's minor conversion). That mode will give me some cool altered pitches against a C7 chord. That mode has Bb which is the 7th of the chord but it also has Eb which is a +9 and A which is a 13th. So that mode would really jazz up my C7. But it's missing a lot of other altered possibilies. For instance, the mode doesn't have any of the flat or augmented fifths. In this case were talking Gb and G#. The mode is also missing the b9th or Db. So if I stick to my mode then I'll never incorporate all of altered fifths and altered 9ths.
By knowing the fretboard I can stick to my G Aeolian against my C7. But if I suddenly hear or want to hear the altered 5ths or 9ths then I can break out of my modal pattern and find them at will. Then I can go back into my scale if I want to.
The idea is to be in control. That's why! If I'm playing a solo and the current chord is Cm7, let's say. Well, I might really dig the sound of an 11th played against Cm7. In this context, the note I'm looking for is F. Or maybe I really dig the sound of a 13th played against my min 7th chord. In this case I'm looking for the note A.
The problem is that I'm in the heat of improvisation and there's no telling what position I'm gonna find myself playing on neck at any given moment. So to get my 11th or 13th sounds that I'm looking for then I need to know how to find them instantly anywhere on the neck.
Or lets say that I'm looking at C7 in the middle of a solo. Well I can pick a G Aeolian mode (See Pat Martino's minor conversion). That mode will give me some cool altered pitches against a C7 chord. That mode has Bb which is the 7th of the chord but it also has Eb which is a +9 and A which is a 13th. So that mode would really jazz up my C7. But it's missing a lot of other altered possibilies. For instance, the mode doesn't have any of the flat or augmented fifths. In this case were talking Gb and G#. The mode is also missing the b9th or Db. So if I stick to my mode then I'll never incorporate all of altered fifths and altered 9ths.
By knowing the fretboard I can stick to my G Aeolian against my C7. But if I suddenly hear or want to hear the altered 5ths or 9ths then I can break out of my modal pattern and find them at will. Then I can go back into my scale if I want to.
Last edited:
flank
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
in context of what? oh yea.....you don't know what anything else is either :laugh2:
in context of what? oh yea.....you don't know what anything else is either :laugh2:
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Start by learning the intervals between each note (i.e. F is a half step up from E and a whole step down from G). Next, practice playing scales on ONLY the first four frets (including open strings), saying the name of each note as you play them. Draw yourself a diagram of the first four frets with all the notes written out, but ONLY refer to it when you're lost.
Once you have mastered the first four frets, add the next three frets (seven total) and keep going. Then go to nine frets, and then twelve. There isn't much point in learning past 12 frets, since it's basically the same thing one octave up.
Good luck Artie!
Start by learning the intervals between each note (i.e. F is a half step up from E and a whole step down from G). Next, practice playing scales on ONLY the first four frets (including open strings), saying the name of each note as you play them. Draw yourself a diagram of the first four frets with all the notes written out, but ONLY refer to it when you're lost.
Once you have mastered the first four frets, add the next three frets (seven total) and keep going. Then go to nine frets, and then twelve. There isn't much point in learning past 12 frets, since it's basically the same thing one octave up.
Good luck Artie!
Last edited:
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
G is a whole step up from F. F sharp fits between those notes.
G is a whole step up from F. F sharp fits between those notes.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Oh man, I'm dumb! I meant F is a half step up from E. Dumb dumb dumb moron! Gah! (cries)
I need more sleep.
Oh man, I'm dumb! I meant F is a half step up from E. Dumb dumb dumb moron! Gah! (cries)
I need more sleep.
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
We all do. It's the holiday season, though, so you're forgiven. :chairfall
We all do. It's the holiday season, though, so you're forgiven. :chairfall
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Thanks again guys for all the info and tips. Basically, I'm taking all you're saying and incorporating it into my own technique. What I'm finding that seems to work best for me, is to learn one string at a time. I can pretty much put my finger anywhere on the low E string and know what note I'm touching.
Now I'm working on the A string.
Thanks again guys for all the info and tips. Basically, I'm taking all you're saying and incorporating it into my own technique. What I'm finding that seems to work best for me, is to learn one string at a time. I can pretty much put my finger anywhere on the low E string and know what note I'm touching.
Now I'm working on the A string.
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
absolutely! I learned by using octaves. If I know where an F is on the E string, I can find the F on the D string with octaves, which gives me another F of the B string, and then I will have another on the A string...sounds convoluted, but learning where octave shapes are really helped me.
Learning to read music in different positions will get you to know it as well, plus you will be learning songs in the meantime.
absolutely! I learned by using octaves. If I know where an F is on the E string, I can find the F on the D string with octaves, which gives me another F of the B string, and then I will have another on the A string...sounds convoluted, but learning where octave shapes are really helped me.
Learning to read music in different positions will get you to know it as well, plus you will be learning songs in the meantime.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
+1 - this is how i did it .. learning patterns/shapes of octaves fit the visual style of learning for me ... learning to name all the notes anywhere on the board isnt sufficient for full fretboard mobility, but it is necessary ... the rest comes from our ears ... then the names won't matter nearly as much
good thread idea!
t4d
+1 - this is how i did it .. learning patterns/shapes of octaves fit the visual style of learning for me ... learning to name all the notes anywhere on the board isnt sufficient for full fretboard mobility, but it is necessary ... the rest comes from our ears ... then the names won't matter nearly as much
good thread idea!
t4d
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Do you mind elaborating a bit? How does the octave method work? It sounds a bit like the five different boxes/shapes for scales. But, I'm guessing that's not quite it, though.
I've discovered that learning the notes coupled with learning arppegio patterns goes a long way towards establishing my vocabulary and learning to construct pleasing strings/licks of notes and establishing a personal style.
Do you mind elaborating a bit? How does the octave method work? It sounds a bit like the five different boxes/shapes for scales. But, I'm guessing that's not quite it, though.
I've discovered that learning the notes coupled with learning arppegio patterns goes a long way towards establishing my vocabulary and learning to construct pleasing strings/licks of notes and establishing a personal style.
mrchodito
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
This has broken a huge barrier in my mind. I've been searching for a way to have it explained to me that just sunk in for way too long. I understand the point of modes in context with improvising now:banana:. From a beginner's perspective, I would say this is vault worthy in it's simplicity.
This has broken a huge barrier in my mind. I've been searching for a way to have it explained to me that just sunk in for way too long. I understand the point of modes in context with improvising now:banana:. From a beginner's perspective, I would say this is vault worthy in it's simplicity.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
to me, the 'octave method' is based on memorizing the notes on the low E string and low A string like you would when starting out and wanting to work out roots for barre chords ... doing it this way was a bit helped by the fact that most of the 'natural letter name' notes are on the frets with the dots ... and this way you get the high E string for free 'cus it's the same as the low E ... so we are halfway home
for the notes on the D string and G string, they are just two frets up and two strings over from the low E and A string ... so the 3rd fret of the low E string (G) and the 5th fret on the D string (G) are an octave apart ... the fifth fret on the A string (D) and the 7th fret on the G string (D) are an octave apart ... jamming some wes montgomery style lick shelp get this notion into your head via your eyes ... play the head to 'misty' in octaves on these low strings and tap yo' toes ... ... so we are 5 sixths of the way home
for the notes on the B string (my personal weakest), i think "a fifth up" from the note on the high E string right next to it ('cus a 4th below is the same note name as a 5th above) ... the other way to memorize it for me is to know the note 3 frets below on the D string .. so the A at the 7th fret of the D string points to another A at the 10th fret on the B string ... this is another 'wes montgomery lick' approach ... so play 'misty' again ...
hope this helps
t4d
to me, the 'octave method' is based on memorizing the notes on the low E string and low A string like you would when starting out and wanting to work out roots for barre chords ... doing it this way was a bit helped by the fact that most of the 'natural letter name' notes are on the frets with the dots
... and this way you get the high E string for free 'cus it's the same as the low E ... so we are halfway homefor the notes on the D string and G string, they are just two frets up and two strings over from the low E and A string ... so the 3rd fret of the low E string (G) and the 5th fret on the D string (G) are an octave apart ... the fifth fret on the A string (D) and the 7th fret on the G string (D) are an octave apart ... jamming some wes montgomery style lick shelp get this notion into your head via your eyes ... play the head to 'misty' in octaves on these low strings and tap yo' toes ... ... so we are 5 sixths of the way home
for the notes on the B string (my personal weakest), i think "a fifth up" from the note on the high E string right next to it ('cus a 4th below is the same note name as a 5th above) ... the other way to memorize it for me is to know the note 3 frets below on the D string .. so the A at the 7th fret of the D string points to another A at the 10th fret on the B string ... this is another 'wes montgomery lick' approach ... so play 'misty' again
... hope this helps
t4d
Last edited:
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
More great tips! I didn't even think about the octave method, which is funny since I've been trying to practice octaves for the last few months. It makes perfect sense. I know how to hold my fingers to play an octave. So, if I know the root note, I automatically know the "octave" note.
Great info, folks.
Artie
More great tips! I didn't even think about the octave method, which is funny since I've been trying to practice octaves for the last few months. It makes perfect sense. I know how to hold my fingers to play an octave. So, if I know the root note, I automatically know the "octave" note.
Great info, folks.
Artie
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Octaves are easy. You can find them on the 7th fret on the string below (8th on the B string for the octave of G), and also the power chord method. Just remove the 5th from a power chord, which is the second note in the chord, and you have the octave. Example:
E Power Chord
E--0--
A--2--
D--2--
Just remove the 5th, which is at the 2nd fret on the A string, and you've got the octave of E, which is at the 2nd fret on the D string. You can do this all over the fretboard. Just remember that you have to move up a half step to do this with the B and high E strings, since they're tuned a half step down from the other 4 strings.
Octaves are easy. You can find them on the 7th fret on the string below (8th on the B string for the octave of G), and also the power chord method. Just remove the 5th from a power chord, which is the second note in the chord, and you have the octave. Example:
E Power Chord
E--0--
A--2--
D--2--
Just remove the 5th, which is at the 2nd fret on the A string, and you've got the octave of E, which is at the 2nd fret on the D string. You can do this all over the fretboard. Just remember that you have to move up a half step to do this with the B and high E strings, since they're tuned a half step down from the other 4 strings.
Guitar Toad
Toadily Stratologist
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
I had imagined that's how the octave method would work. Thanks Bill and sufferinwind.
On a related note...ba-dump-bump...To me that's the one of the great aspects of the guitar fretboard. The guitar neck makes figuring out the main/basic chords for any key very easy (once you know the notes)...especially the I-IV-V7 chords. It's easier for me than that circle of 5ths chart.
to me, the 'octave method' is based on memorizing the notes on the low E string and low A string like you would when starting out and wanting to work out roots for barre chords ... doing it this way was a bit helped by the fact that most of the 'natural letter name' notes are on the frets with the dots
for the notes on the D string and G string, they are just two frets up and two strings over from the low E and A string ... so the 3rd fret of the low E string (G) and the 5th fret on the D string (G) are an octave apart ... the fifth fret on the A string (D) and the 7th fret on the G string (D) are an octave apart ... jamming some wes montgomery style lick shelp get this notion into your head via your eyes ... play the head to 'misty' in octaves on these low strings and tap yo' toes ... ... so we are 5 sixths of the way home
for the notes on the B string (my personal weakest), i think "a fifth up" from the note on the high E string right next to it ('cus a 4th below is the same note name as a 5th above) ... the other way to memorize it for me is to know the note 3 frets below on the D string .. so the A at the 7th fret of the D string points to another A at the 10th fret on the B string ... this is another 'wes montgomery lick' approach ... so play 'misty' again
hope this helps
t4d
I had imagined that's how the octave method would work. Thanks Bill and sufferinwind.
On a related note...ba-dump-bump...To me that's the one of the great aspects of the guitar fretboard. The guitar neck makes figuring out the main/basic chords for any key very easy (once you know the notes)...especially the I-IV-V7 chords. It's easier for me than that circle of 5ths chart.
sufferinrewind
New member
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
I never understood the circle of 5ths thing. I'd just stare at it, all confused, then just throw it across the room and rock out.
Eventually, when you mess around with different notes on the fretboard while experimenting, you'll figure some stuff out. Might take a little longer than having someone there to show you and teach you, but you'll get it.
I never understood the circle of 5ths thing. I'd just stare at it, all confused, then just throw it across the room and rock out.
Eventually, when you mess around with different notes on the fretboard while experimenting, you'll figure some stuff out. Might take a little longer than having someone there to show you and teach you, but you'll get it.
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
Well, I don't know how you feel about spending money to learn, but I found a progam that helped me a lot. I don't work for them or anything either, I'm just a user.
The website is here:
http://www.absolutefretboard.com/
I bought the program a couple of years ago and was actually disappointed with it. It comes with free upgrades though, and I recently downloaded the beta version of the latest major upgrade. They don't talk about it on the website. You have to buy the program and then follow the links they give you on their "About the program" page.
They have a free demo for download that will teach you all of the natural notes in the first 3 frets. This is enough to learn the c major scale in first position and the musical note that go along with them.
The thing I like about the new version is that I can plug my guitar into my microphone jack and the program listens to me play. The program displays a musical note, or a series of notes, all in random order. The program then listens for me to play the correct note on my guitar. If I do it right, it shows a new note. If not, I have to try again.
I wasted a lot of time and money on useless learning aids, but of all that money, this is the best $50 I've spent. It's been working great for me, and I would recommend the free demo to anyone. Then you can decide if it’s worth $50 to you.
Cheers,
George
Well, I don't know how you feel about spending money to learn, but I found a progam that helped me a lot. I don't work for them or anything either, I'm just a user.
The website is here:
http://www.absolutefretboard.com/
I bought the program a couple of years ago and was actually disappointed with it. It comes with free upgrades though, and I recently downloaded the beta version of the latest major upgrade. They don't talk about it on the website. You have to buy the program and then follow the links they give you on their "About the program" page.
They have a free demo for download that will teach you all of the natural notes in the first 3 frets. This is enough to learn the c major scale in first position and the musical note that go along with them.
The thing I like about the new version is that I can plug my guitar into my microphone jack and the program listens to me play. The program displays a musical note, or a series of notes, all in random order. The program then listens for me to play the correct note on my guitar. If I do it right, it shows a new note. If not, I have to try again.
I wasted a lot of time and money on useless learning aids, but of all that money, this is the best $50 I've spent. It's been working great for me, and I would recommend the free demo to anyone. Then you can decide if it’s worth $50 to you.
Cheers,
George
Re: Do you know the notes on the fretboard?
yeah, might take me a second or two but i can name it.
yeah, might take me a second or two but i can name it.
emilio
New member
Similar threads
