Learn The Fretboard In 7 Steps - Fun and Effective System
FREE - Fretboard Memorization Toolbox: https://guitarl.ink/fret
Learn The Fretboard In 7 Steps
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In this lesson, we take a look at a fun and effective system for learning the notes on the guitar fretboard. In this method, instead of dry memorization, we use game-type drills, and creative improvisation, to help implant the notes into our memory.
-- Contents Of This Video --
0:00 - Intro
2:46 - Step 1 - ABCD Horizontal (By String)
5:31 - Step 2 - ABCD Vertical (By Fretboard Area)
6:56 - Step 3 - ABCDEFG Horizontal (By String)
8:19 - Step 4 - ABCDEFG Vertical (By Fretboard Area)
9:16 - Step 5 - ABCDEFG Free Improvisation
11:07 - Steps 6 & 7 - All Fretboard Notes
13:02 - Extra: Root Note Location Practice
The Value Of Memorizing The Fretboard
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The guitar is one of the few instruments where knowing the actual notes you are playing is not a big priority for most people, at least not in the beginning. If you look at the piano, for example, you’ll see that little children that have been playing for just a few months, or weeks even, know all the notes. They can name any key on the keyboard. But take the average adult that has been playing guitar for over a decade, point to a random note on the fretboard, and chances are that he or she will not know the name of that note, or will need some time to figure it out 🤔.
That’s not because guitar players are dumb or musically illiterate, but because the geometric nature of the guitar fretboard causes us to prioritize other things over learning all the notes on the fretboard. When you learn a simple C major chord in the open position, for example, it’s much easier to just learn the fingering shape and place it on the fretboard, instead of thinking that you are playing "C, E, G, C, E". And even if you are a seasoned “intellectual" player and know all the notes on fretboard well, and you want to play, for example, an Eb major 7 drop 2 voicing, you will most probably place it using the shape, and maybe the root note, instead of thinking "Eb, Bb, D, G", even if you do know these notes.
The same goes for playing scales. Whether you like to memorize shapes or prefer to use SFS and form your fingerings on the fly, you still don’t need to think of the name of every note you play. But as you progress, and as your playing starts to become more sophisticated, knowing the notes on the fretboard becomes increasingly important.
The deeper you go with your guitar journey, the more you will see how learning the fretboard really well, and locating notes really fast, can help open up more and more musical possibilities.
Many people think that this is just too hard, and never try to do it. That’s because, indeed, the location of notes on the guitar fretboard is not as obvious as on the piano keyboard, or as on a saxophone, and so on. That doesn’t mean that we can’t learn them. We just need a step by step system to do it.
So when I started teaching in 2001, I saw the need for developing such a system, in order to help my students get to their destination sooner. That’s what I’m sharing with you here. I will explain the process, and then you can download, or stream the free “Fretboard Memorization Toolbox” which includes everything you need to practice this method. It also includes a PDF where you can find all the diagrams and a clear list of all the steps so that you can follow them in your practice time.
This fun toolbox will help you learn the notes on the guitar fretboard, using creative drills and mini-games.
As you will see from the video lesson, memorizing the fretboard does NOT have to be boring. With Fretboard Memorization Toolbox it can feel like a fretboard memorization game. The mini-course package includes video drills, PDF documentation, and mp3 backing tracks, which you can download or stream online. There's also a guitar fretboard diagram for each step, but it's not supposed to be used for dry memorization. It's just a guide to help you work through the videos, and you will discover that after a few minutes you won't need it! Just have fun with the drills, and watch how locating the notes on the guitar fretboard will become second nature!
Thanks for watching, and remember:
Enjoy your Practice and Be Effective!
Prokopis Skordis
https://string.systems
"Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things."
#guitarlesson #SFS #guitar #fretboard