TB-007 • How To Find All The Notes On The Neck

[justinguitar]

Questions...

[tintin]

Seems to me, if I know the notes on strings 6 and 5, then I already know 1 = 6, 4 = 6 + 2 frets up the neck, 3 = 5 + 2 frets up the neck, and 2 = 5 = 2 frets down the neck, so if I know the notes on 5 and 6, I know 'em all, no?

[Chris.23]

My friend always told me that only because he has played the guitar for 12 years, he is able to recognise any note on the fretboard by just hearing it even.

It'll take time for beginners like me. No point trying to memorise it or am I wrong ?

[Quark]

It'll take time for beginners like me. No point trying to memorise it or am I wrong

In my opinion you should try and learn as soon as possible. Once you understand where all the notes are, it opens up a whole new world of playing. I waited too long. Had I learned from the beginning then playing leads would have been a lot easier, finding inversions of chords would have been easier, finding creative ways to play songs would have been easier, transcribing would have been easier, chord building would have come easier etc.

W

[Collo]

What would you recommend. If I play the suggested order: C, G, D, A, E, B, F. Should I first learn the sequence of any note and play every sequence after another in one go and then build ab speed. Or should I learn to play the sequences all one by one. I mean the first the c-sequence from slow to fast, then the g-sequence and at the end, one after another.
What do you think?

[Quark]

What would you recommend. If I play the suggested order: C, G, D, A, E, B, F. Should I first learn the sequence of any note and play every sequence after another in one go and then build ab speed. Or should I learn to play the sequences all one by one. I mean the first the c-sequence from slow to fast, then the g-sequence and at the end, one after another.
What do you think?

What I did was start with C. I  went from the low E string to the high E string locating all the C's. Started slowly at first, 60 bpm on metronome and tried to increase my speed a little each day. I did this for 30 minutes a day for a week and then moved onto G. Did this for a week (did all the C's first then the G's.) I continued this for 7 weeks, 30 minutes a day. (in fact it is still the first thing I do when I pick up the guitar. I run through all of them at 120 bpm). I also made sure I added going backwards; from the high E string to the low E string. Then I started going across the neck, finding all the A's at each fret level where applicable, then the G's and so on. Soon the little tricks I had learned as a crutch, the two over two down type of thing was not even necessary. Then TB had come up with a twist, and that was to find all the notes for bends. Worked on that as well Anyway, for me this approach worked very well. I can find any note on the fretboard quickly, which makes life so much easier as I outlined in my previous reponse. Take a note a week and in 7 weeks you will have it down. At least it did for me.
W

[Collo]

And would you suggest du switch fingers? Or do you play it always with the same, for example the middle finger?

[Quark]

And would you suggest du switch fingers? Or do you play it always with the same, for example the middle finger?

I did it with the index finger initially until I could find them all without thinking. Now when I do it, I practice my vibrato as well so I start with the index and the middle and then ring. I do not bother with the pinky. Sometimes I will also practice hammer ons, don't use the pick, just hammer on to the note. I do whatever it takes to keep it fun and less boring.
Hope that helps.

W

[justinguitar]

Good ideas Walt - to keep it interesting.

I just used one finger when I learnt... and I just follwed the same stuff I show you guys!

It really is a important thing to learn!

J

[Welshdai]

Going to add this to my Beginners practice routine would 10 mins a day be ok ?

[Quark]

Going to add this to my Beginners practice routine would 10 mins a day be ok ?

That is the perfect amount of time to spend on this a day.
You should try and make this "devoted time"; that is time that is free of all other distraction. You keep it up and you will be master of the fretboard in no time. 

W

[Digão]

I am doing 10 mins a day, a note for a week. Every day I increase my speed.

[hhenschell]

While being important to learn it can really get old fast. I sat down to learn these over 5 days. (On christmas break) and got bored in 45 mins. They dont sound like music. I want to start jamming right away. Sadly that is not the way it works.

What worked for me was to go over them all for about an hour each day and then play some scales and chords. To keep myself entertained. I am playing about 6-8 hours and day. Still love it though because I can see / feel / hear immediate progress.

[crazyperson]

Questions...

am i doing this right? if this comes up all wacky.. then ill  know i didnt do anything rite.
i got an electric! its AWESOME. only.. ive had it for 5 months, read a book on guitars, and cant play ONE song. so where do i start? i dont know where to start and what the heck i do. it looks so easy! and im like "ill play like that' i try. i watch your vids. its all so confusing. what should i do to become a total pro?

[HoodedGuitarist]

Um would you practice with the metronome and guess the notes or could i familiarize myself with the notes on all 6 strings before using the metronome.

My second question is should i apply the same practice with sharps/flats once i have memorized the natural notes (if thats what their called).

I've been trying to learn all the notes on the neck..one of my goals are being able to play a note and know what note it is immediatly.