Mike ;)
Guitar notes

Does anyone know where on the internet i can go to see the names of everyone single string note on the whole neck of the guitar, because i am good at lead but i really dont know the names of the notes i play, also if you have any tips on lead let me know, thanks
# 1
That's easy, if you know the chromatic scale.
E F F# G Ab A Bb B C C# D Eb E
If you know the names of each string. You just go up the chromatic scale as you go up the frets. So the lowest string open is E, the first fret is F, the second F#, and so on.
It's better if you go through it this way because if you just look at a diagram, you'll forget it. So just practice you chromatics all over the neck, saying each note as you play it. Then you'll know it in a couple of days, and you won't forget it either.
E F F# G Ab A Bb B C C# D Eb E
If you know the names of each string. You just go up the chromatic scale as you go up the frets. So the lowest string open is E, the first fret is F, the second F#, and so on.
It's better if you go through it this way because if you just look at a diagram, you'll forget it. So just practice you chromatics all over the neck, saying each note as you play it. Then you'll know it in a couple of days, and you won't forget it either.
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 2

Noticing...I have a question.
What's the deal with not using D#, G#, A#?
I once told my g/f, who's a piano player, something about D# and she was like there's no such note as D#, it's Eb. I was like it's the same note!!!
What's the deal with not using D#, G#, A#?
I once told my g/f, who's a piano player, something about D# and she was like there's no such note as D#, it's Eb. I was like it's the same note!!!
Sometimes I hit notes only dogs can hear.
# 3
I dunno what your girlfriend is thinking. I always refer to those notes the way I do because of there sound. F# and C# has sort of a sharp (brighter) sound, when Eb Bb and Ab has a flatter (softer) sound. Just makes sense to call them that, I guess.
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 4

Is she blonde?
Electric Guitars are the inspiration for cries of "Turn that damn thing down"-Gibson website
# 5

Originally posted by noticingthemistake
F# and C# has sort of a sharp (brighter) sound, when Eb Bb and Ab has a flatter (softer) sound.
Hmm... isnt that just your imagination?
# 6
Originally posted by Axl_Rose
Hmm... isnt that just your imagination?
Nah. I think it is apparent if you listen to the notes close enough. F# and C# favor the sound of being sharp, or more striking. While Eb, Ab, and Bb favor a flatter softer sound. Although sharp and soft hardly do justice in describing each notes actually texture, there is a difference. Bb is probably the most neutral because of the audible F# overtone, but to me it still sounds more flat than sharp. It just makes sense to call notes that seem a certain way sharp or flat. Saying Gb and thinking of the sound of Gb seems weird. Maybe it is my imagination although some people I know have similar experiences. Try listening if you are confused.
[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-24-2004 at 08:01 PM]
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 7

Okay, I have not done her any justice. She didn't say there was no such note, just that it was not called D# but Eb in piano. But still, I can hear the difference in tone, but why not just call them A# or D#. Sounds easier to learn to me.
Sometimes I hit notes only dogs can hear.
# 8

Originally posted by noticingthemistake
That's easy, if you know the chromatic scale.
E F F# G Ab A Bb B C C# D Eb E
If you know the names of each string. You just go up the chromatic scale as you go up the frets. So the lowest string open is E, the first fret is F, the second F#, and so on.
It's better if you go through it this way because if you just look at a diagram, you'll forget it. So just practice you chromatics all over the neck, saying each note as you play it. Then you'll know it in a couple of days, and you won't forget it either.
Ahh, the kinesthetic learner!
Remember, how you retain information is not the same as how everybody else does....some of us actually prefer to see charts and diagrams.
# 9
If you're improvising it's definitely useful to have all the notes memorized. But heh, charts are cool too.
# 10

ok this is how i learnt the notes easier nd quicker - just like evryone else did - maybe.
Say outloud - important to say it outloud so u know consiously if uve made a mistake. Oh and do it backwards saying the flats instead of the sharps.
the string notes starting from the 1st string [thinnest] are
e - FF#GG#AA#BCC# etc...
B - CC#DD#EFF#GG# etc...
G - G#......
D - D#......
A - A#........
E - F......
now there are common notes called enharmonic notes
these are those famous whether the note is F# or Gb etc..
if u play down towards the bridge thats doing the sharps chromaic scale so all the accidentals [# or b] would be sharp. and if u play from the bridge towards the nut they would be flat.
technically the position played for these enhrmonic notes are the same F# would be either F# or Eb at the same fret say on 6th string 1st fret. its just in relation to what ur playing.
So there is a not called D# and it is the same note as Eb = even on piano if ur G/f plays from the treble to the bass notes she will be playing the flats so it would sound out as an Eb the other way round it would sound out like a D#
Say outloud - important to say it outloud so u know consiously if uve made a mistake. Oh and do it backwards saying the flats instead of the sharps.
the string notes starting from the 1st string [thinnest] are
e - FF#GG#AA#BCC# etc...
B - CC#DD#EFF#GG# etc...
G - G#......
D - D#......
A - A#........
E - F......
now there are common notes called enharmonic notes
these are those famous whether the note is F# or Gb etc..
if u play down towards the bridge thats doing the sharps chromaic scale so all the accidentals [# or b] would be sharp. and if u play from the bridge towards the nut they would be flat.
technically the position played for these enhrmonic notes are the same F# would be either F# or Eb at the same fret say on 6th string 1st fret. its just in relation to what ur playing.
So there is a not called D# and it is the same note as Eb = even on piano if ur G/f plays from the treble to the bass notes she will be playing the flats so it would sound out as an Eb the other way round it would sound out like a D#
'i dont have low self esteem, it's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else' - Daria
# 11
Originally posted by chris mood
Ahh, the kinesthetic learner!
Remember, how you retain information is not the same as how everybody else does....some of us actually prefer to see charts and diagrams.
Yes, true. Although it is good to say (better yet sing or hum) the notes while you play them whether your a kinesthetic learner or not. The connection of source to use is how everyone retains information on an instrument. This practice is essentially the first stepping stone for other musical skills. Afterall the way a diagram looks, and the way the guitar looks when your playing is completely different. You'll have to make some kind of connection, unless you swing the guitar sideways when you play. ;)
BTW, concrete thanx for adding that about ascending the notes are sharp, and descending the notes are flat.
Pant, whatever is easy for you man. What concrete added is a good way to do learn both. But the name you choose for an enharmonic note is a personal choice. Mine just happens to be that way.
[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-26-2004 at 10:22 AM]
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 12

O.k.,...here's how I teach it. I find it better to relate the notes to each other going from low string to high string instead of top to bottom from each string, since this is how most of us play...unless your Mr. Super Legato like Satrianni.
The neck of the guitar can be divided into 3 positions: 1st, 5th, and 9th...everything else is just an overlap of these positions, ex; 3rd pos. would just be a combination of 1st and 5th.
A position is defined by what fret your 1st finger is on.
Pos.1, playing the natural notes from 6th string to 1st will outline an E Phrygian scale;
(6)E F G (5)A B C (4)D E F (3) G A (2)B C D (1)E F G
Pos.5 will outline an A minor (Aeolian)scale
(6)A B C (5)D E F (4)G A (3)B C D (2) E F G (1) A B C
*you will have to reach out of pos. for the B on the 3rd str., but if you know the pattern for Aeolian you will already realize this. At this point you should realize that the pattern of the notes just move down 1 string
Pos.9 will outline a D Dorian scale
6)D E F (5)G A (4)B C D (3) E F G (2)A B C (1) D E F
The next pos., position 12 will be a repeat of position 1.
The neck of the guitar can be divided into 3 positions: 1st, 5th, and 9th...everything else is just an overlap of these positions, ex; 3rd pos. would just be a combination of 1st and 5th.
A position is defined by what fret your 1st finger is on.
Pos.1, playing the natural notes from 6th string to 1st will outline an E Phrygian scale;
(6)E F G (5)A B C (4)D E F (3) G A (2)B C D (1)E F G
Pos.5 will outline an A minor (Aeolian)scale
(6)A B C (5)D E F (4)G A (3)B C D (2) E F G (1) A B C
*you will have to reach out of pos. for the B on the 3rd str., but if you know the pattern for Aeolian you will already realize this. At this point you should realize that the pattern of the notes just move down 1 string
Pos.9 will outline a D Dorian scale
6)D E F (5)G A (4)B C D (3) E F G (2)A B C (1) D E F
The next pos., position 12 will be a repeat of position 1.
# 13
So when you then show the chromatic scale, you suggest just filling in the open frets with accidentals??
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 14

I find people do better to memorize 7 notes within a particular finger pattern then trying to memorize every single fret at once. Once the 7 notes are memorized it's easy to apply the principles of altering notes with sharps and flats.
One thing I used to do when I was learning the fret board was to make a game out of it....I would close my eyes and randomely put my index finger down on the neck of the guitar and then figure out what note it was. I found this to be a great mental excercise.
You can also use this same appraoch for ear trainning. Close your eyes, randomely play a note and try to name it.
One thing I used to do when I was learning the fret board was to make a game out of it....I would close my eyes and randomely put my index finger down on the neck of the guitar and then figure out what note it was. I found this to be a great mental excercise.
You can also use this same appraoch for ear trainning. Close your eyes, randomely play a note and try to name it.
# 15
Yeah that is a good way to teach it, although I had them learn all the notes from open position to fourth fret before going on to different positions. I think I might re-invent that though.
The other exercise, I use all the time in ear training. Although starting of with just playing any random note and then trying to name it can be fairly difficult to a beginning guitarist. I did it through these steps first.
(with eyes closed)
1. Just open strings, play any open string and try to name it. Pretty easy since finger knowledge kind of gives it away. (An extra test in this area is to use a capo, and then try to name the string being played.)
2. Do what you had said but only use one string at a time. Play it open than hit any fret on that string and name it. If your wrong, correct yourself by playing the note you though it was, and the one you actually played so you can hear the difference. Feel free to play back and forth between open and the fretted note, until you are confident on what note is played.
3. Then combine 1 and 2 by playing any open string at random then any fretted note on that same string.
4. Now do what you said, by eliminating the open string. After going through the above steps, the student will be better prepared for that last more difficult step. That last step is pretty close to perfect pitch but with alittle help from finger knowledge. If some difficulty ensues, try just using one string at first and as you get better start adding more strings.
If you have a student going through this, as a teacher it is better to test the student after they seem confident in each step before moving on. You play and they name, and if possible use there guitar to test them.
[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-26-2004 at 02:40 PM]
The other exercise, I use all the time in ear training. Although starting of with just playing any random note and then trying to name it can be fairly difficult to a beginning guitarist. I did it through these steps first.
(with eyes closed)
1. Just open strings, play any open string and try to name it. Pretty easy since finger knowledge kind of gives it away. (An extra test in this area is to use a capo, and then try to name the string being played.)
2. Do what you had said but only use one string at a time. Play it open than hit any fret on that string and name it. If your wrong, correct yourself by playing the note you though it was, and the one you actually played so you can hear the difference. Feel free to play back and forth between open and the fretted note, until you are confident on what note is played.
3. Then combine 1 and 2 by playing any open string at random then any fretted note on that same string.
4. Now do what you said, by eliminating the open string. After going through the above steps, the student will be better prepared for that last more difficult step. That last step is pretty close to perfect pitch but with alittle help from finger knowledge. If some difficulty ensues, try just using one string at first and as you get better start adding more strings.
If you have a student going through this, as a teacher it is better to test the student after they seem confident in each step before moving on. You play and they name, and if possible use there guitar to test them.
[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-26-2004 at 02:40 PM]
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 16

Ive always wanted to put stickers on my fret board with the notes written on em! I bet youd learn the fretboard so fast it you saw the notes there!
# 17

for ear training:
u can memorize the all so famous DO re mi fa so la ti do.
play a C note since its the most obvious note from the do and hum. close ur eyes and play a random note on the fret board, any string/fret. and hum that too, now hear the original C note in ur head and count up or down the Do re mi fa so la ti do, and figure out which note it is.
once u get to figure out certain notes the rest ull learn as well, and suddenly ..................
even with the fret board memorize the dots know the notes on those dots and soon as you have those figured out its easier to just say ok so this is A# or whatever.
thats how it worked for me, oh yea and i used to write down all the notes on an empty sheet with flats and sharps accordingly to where im going.
u can memorize the all so famous DO re mi fa so la ti do.
play a C note since its the most obvious note from the do and hum. close ur eyes and play a random note on the fret board, any string/fret. and hum that too, now hear the original C note in ur head and count up or down the Do re mi fa so la ti do, and figure out which note it is.
once u get to figure out certain notes the rest ull learn as well, and suddenly ..................
even with the fret board memorize the dots know the notes on those dots and soon as you have those figured out its easier to just say ok so this is A# or whatever.
thats how it worked for me, oh yea and i used to write down all the notes on an empty sheet with flats and sharps accordingly to where im going.
'i dont have low self esteem, it's a mistake. I have low esteem for everyone else' - Daria
# 18

On piano, Eb, Ab, and Bb, and F# are quite more common key signatures for pieces than their counterparts of D#, G#, A#, and Gb. The C#, however, is usually referred to as Db (we're talking about major keys here... C# minor is perfectly fine).
This has to do with ease of thinking. On guitar, each of the notes are one fret apart, there's no need to think of black/white notes. On piano, it can be confusing to think of hitting that B# if you're playing in A# major. When one sees a B note on the staff, instinct leads the player to either B or Bb depending on the key signature. Seeing a B# is confusing because you're playing what LOOKS like a C. It screws up the fingering and is just a mess!
There is no denying, though, that an Eb is enharmonic to a D#... anyone with piano lessons (or music lessons of any kind) should know that. Hope that helps answer your question.
This has to do with ease of thinking. On guitar, each of the notes are one fret apart, there's no need to think of black/white notes. On piano, it can be confusing to think of hitting that B# if you're playing in A# major. When one sees a B note on the staff, instinct leads the player to either B or Bb depending on the key signature. Seeing a B# is confusing because you're playing what LOOKS like a C. It screws up the fingering and is just a mess!
There is no denying, though, that an Eb is enharmonic to a D#... anyone with piano lessons (or music lessons of any kind) should know that. Hope that helps answer your question.
"You must stab him in the heart with the Bone Saber of Zumacalis... well, you could stab him in the head or the lungs, too... and the saber, it probably doesn't have to be bone, just anything sharp lying around the house... you could poke him with a pillow and kill him."
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Universal Re-Monster
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Universal Re-Monster
# 19
A note there Dirt, there is no such key as A# major. It's Bb major and A# minor (enharmonic Bb minor). In either case, you wouldn't see the note as B# on the staff. In A# minor, B# has no accidental beside it. It's just a note on the B line so it doesn't look like a C. In written music. it's not as confusing as you think. Writting the note on the C line when you meaning to play B# (second tone in the key of A# minor). You would have to write the note natural on the C line to have it be played the same pitch as B# (other wise it's C#). Even then it's 3 lines above the root so it's even more confusing. Enharmonic keys are kind of confusing on the piano, but trying to think up ways to manipulate them just makes it more confusing. Probably why hardly anybody writes in those keys anymore. It's a shame musicians now are more concerned with shortcuts and the easy way out.
"My whole life is a dark room...ONE BIG DARK ROOM" - a.f.i.
# 20