Learning the notes on the guitar neck is an important part of learning guitar, but is often overlooked in guitar lessons. This lesson is the second part in a series about learning the notes on the guitar neck. If you haven’t gone through the lesson on natural notes, click here. Learning the natural and sharp notes on the fretboard will help prepare you for more advanced guitar playing skills like movable chord and fill in some of the gaps in your fretboard knowledge. There is a simple process you can use that will help you learn all of the natural and sharp note names on every string, and it only takes a few minutes a day to master. In this lesson you will learn:
What Is A Sharp Note?If you remember the lesson on natural notes, you remember that some of the letters in our musical alphabet are right next to each other, and other letters have a fret space in between them. You’ll notice that A and B have a space between them. In music this is called a whole step. That space can be filled with a "sharp" note. You’ll also see that B and C are right next to each other. in music this is called a half step. There isn't room in between them for a "sharp" note. In music, a sharp means higher in pitch. We can use a sharp as a way to fill in the open spaces in our musical alphabet. For example, the space between A and B could be called A Sharp, or A#. It is one space higher than A, but it isn’t a B yet. So we can call it A#. Below you’ll find an example of the musical alphabet with all of the spaces filled in with the appropriate sharp notes. | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | If you are playing an A and move up one fret, you are now playing an A# (A sharp). If you are playing a C and move up one fret, you are now playing a C# (C sharp). Application To The Guitar StringsNow we get to the good stuff - applying this idea to our guitar strings. Doing this exercise is going to be the best way for you to understand the concept, so let’s get your fingers moving! The process here is simple:
That’s it! It’s a simple exercise but if you do it regularly you will start to learn your way around the guitar neck pretty quickly. Especially when you are getting started, double check with the handout frequently. It’s even ok to just read through the diagram as you go every time. I don’t recommend actively trying to memorize this. The memorization will come naturally the more you do the exercise. Think about when you’ve had to use directions to get to a new restaurant. Each time you go back to that restaurant, you need the directions less and less. That’s the same way this exercise will help you learn the guitar neck. The Exercises:6th String (E)Play and say the note names starting with the open 6th string (E), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. 5th String (A)Play and say the note names starting with he open 5th string (A), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. 4th String (D)Play and say the note names starting with the open 4th string (D), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. 3rd String (G)Play and say the note names starting with the open 3rd string (G), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. 2nd String (B)Play and say the note names starting with the open 2nd string (B), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. 1st String (E)Play and say the note names starting on the open 1st string (E), reading left to right. Double check that you are on the right string and fret each step of the way. Things To Think AboutLearning the notes on the guitar fretboard is an important part of improving your guitar skills but it is easily neglected, leaving you to scramble and try to cram the information into your brain so you can move forward in guitar lessons. These exercises will set the stage for learning more advanced techniques and concepts like barre chords, movable scale patterns, and arpeggios all over the guitar neck. Remember:
With practice, you will know all of the natural and sharp notes on the guitar pretty soon. Just go through the exercise regularly and you will start to know what the notes are without really having to think too hard about it. Keep practicing, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need help. Guitar Lessons Are The Best Way To ImproveIf you're ready to really improve your guitar playing taking guitar lessons with a good teacher is the best way to go. Whether you are just starting out, or you're a more advanced guitar player looking for ways to keep making progress, I can help you out with guitar lessons. You can learn guitar at my home studio in Portland Oregon, or you can learn form the comfort of your own home with online guitar lessons. Either way you'll get the help, instruction, and advice you need so you can start getting better at guitar right away. Click the links below to learn more: If you have any questions, or you're ready to sign up, contact me today!
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