There is no "cheating" as long as you learn the notes, it doesn't matter how you do it.

A good tip to remember is that the notes on the low E string are the same as the notes on D just one whole step from the fret they are on E. (thats confusing look at the diagram)


Like for example:

A

e|------------
b|------------
G|------------
D|--------7---
A|------------
E|----5-------

This is the same for every string. When you reach the B or high E string it moves 1 1/2 steps.

So now A would occur like this:

A

e|----------------------
b|----------------10----
G|----------------------
D|--------7-------------
A|----------------------
E|----5-----------------

Also once you learn the E string you know both E strings :D

Here's some more examples:

G

e|----------------------
b|----------------8-----
G|----------------------
D|--------5-------------
A|----------------------
E|----3-----------------

C

e|----------------------
b|----------------13----
G|----------------------
D|--------10------------
A|----------------------
E|----8-----------------


This way helped me learn the notes much faster. Hope it helps.

You can change strings with it too, you don't have to start on E.

D

e|------------------10--
b|----------------------
G|-----------7----------
D|----------------------
A|----5-----------------
E|----------------------


[Edited by Pantallica1 on 08-26-2003 at 11:31 AM]