Knowing the notes on the guitar fretboard are will help you in several different ways. It’ll help you with learning bar chords, learn songs, techniques, and generally get around the guitar fretboard more easily.
I’m going to show you several techniques for easily identifying the notes on the neck. Then I’ll give you an exercise to help you memorize them easily in just a few minutes a day.
In this lesson...
1. Learn Open Notes:
Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie (low to high)
2. Musical Alphabet: A, B, C, D, E, F & G
Two notes don’t have # (b and e)
Sharp (#) - one fret higher
Flat (b) - one fret lower
3. Memorize Notes on Dots on Lowest Two Strings
Frets 3, 5 and 7
G, A, B, C, D, E
4. Find the Octaves
On strings 6 & 5—2 frets up; two strings over
On strings 4 & 3—3 frets up; two strings over
5. Note Exercise - Find the Notes on All Strings
I’ve created a download sheet to help you with this lesson including guitar neck diagram and some additional notes. Go ahead and download that here:
Need Additional Help?
Need some help with learning the notes of the fretboard? If you're a RGS Academy member, check out the lesson Learning The Fretboard.
Not a member yet? No problem. Sign up here FREE for 14 days. I’m hoping you stick around… but if not, the 2 weeks should be enough time to get the benefit from this lesson.
These fret exercised are very useful. Thanks
Hi Frances, I’m glad you found them helpful. I still do them from time to time. – Tomas
What good is learning the names of the notes when playing lead?? I’m serious…
Hi Paul,
It’s a good question. It’s probably not the best place to spend your time now if you’re just interested in playing rock lead guitar. Probably better to spend your time on chords (so you can play with others), scale patterns and practicing soloing over background tracks. -Tomas
THANKS!!!