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ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,360
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,360
06/06/2018 1:19 pm
Originally Posted by: gilouch0Does anyone have a nice tip / trick on how to remember the notes on the neck ??[/quote]

One of the best ways is to use the octave method. First learn the pattern of the notes on the E string:

E |----|---|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]B |----|---|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]G |----|---|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]D |----|---|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]A |----|---|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]E |-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|

[br]Then, visualize octaves of the same letter on the E, D, & B strings. For example, like this for E, F & G:

E |----|----|----|---|----|----|---|---|---|[br]B |----|----|----|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|[br]G |----|----|----|---|----|----|---|---|---|[br]D |----|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|----|---|---|---|[br]A |----|----|----|---|----|----|---|---|---|[br]E |-F-|----|-G-|---|----|----|---|---|---|

[br]Then continue up beyond the G! Next, learn the pattern of the notes on the A string:

E |---|----|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]B |---|----|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]G |---|----|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]D |---|----|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|[br]A |---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|[br]E |---|----|----|---|----|---|----|----|---|----|---|----|

[br]Then, visualize octaves of the same letter on the A, G & (high) E strings. For example, like this for A, B, & C:

E |---|----|----|----|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|[br]B |---|----|----|----|----|---|----|----|---|[br]G |---|-A-|----|-B-|-C-|---|----|----|---|[br]D |---|----|----|----|----|---|----|----|---|[br]A |---|-B-|-C-|----|----|---|----|----|---|[br]E |---|----|----|----|----|---|----|----|---|

[br]Continue beyond C! So you can learn the pattern of the notes on just two strings and then repeat the pattern in octaves from there. One system of letters & spacing, two strings, repeating patterns.

However, in my experience, the biggest single problem is that students don't really have a grasp on the system of musical letters in the first place. So start with that basic system.

A - (A#) - B - C - (C#) - D - (D#) - E - F - (F#) - G - (G#) - A

The point is that there is only one pattern of letters to learn. Then you apply it across the fretboard. :)

Make a little time everyday to call out notes. Make it a point of calling out notes when you play some music during your practing. You don't have to do it all the time. When you are playing music in real time there's no time for that!

Addressing specific comments!

Originally Posted by: gilouch0Right now I can go from 6th string to 1st on the first 5 frets but I need to do it in that order I can't just start on 3rd string immediately and know the notes.[/quote]

That's the advantage of the octave system. Once you grasp the pattern you can apply it all over the fretboard. Then you can start on for example the B string & reverse down to the low E string to find the pattern & note. The advantage here is that you are also working on locating the note on the D then E string as well!

Originally Posted by: gilouch0Same if I move horizontally, I know 6th string has G A B on frets 3-5-7 and then I keep counting from that (same on the other strings).[/quote]

Hop over to the D & B strings with that pattern: G-A-B. Get used to how it looks & sounds.

[quote=gilouch0]I also know that on 5th fret the note is the one from the open string below (except for B)

Good observation! The fact that you can play the same note in more than one place on the guitar has the potential for a lot of confusion. I address that in these tutorials on intervals & scales for beginners.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=363

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=445

[quote=gilouch0]Also there are the rules of string 6 to 4 and 2 frets higher OR string 6 to 3 and 3 frets lower, OR also string 6 to 5 and 5 frets lower then finally string 6 to 5 and 7 frets higher.

Yes! This is the octave method. :)

[quote=gilouch0]So this is a lot of tricks but none of them makes it intuitive, fast or easy to find all the notes.

Yes, it can be confusing & overwhelming. But consider: it's only 7 letters and one pattern that keeps repeating. You just have to get used to how that pattern shifts around & looks going string to string.

Practice identifying it a little every day. Work on the E string one day a week for a week. Move that to the D string next week, then the B string next week. In very little time you've got the whole fretboard memorized!

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary. Have fun!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

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