Music Theory Can Be Fun and Practical!

In this lesson, you'll learn about notes in the open position :)

Learning notes in the open position gives you a deeper understanding of how and why you play chords a certain way. It also helps unlock your fretboard possibilities!

In Grade 1, you learned about the note circle. Now, it's time to figure out where the notes are on your guitar fretboard.

The first 3 to 4 frets on the guitar are in the open position. To learn open position notes, you'll need a combination of the note circle and the names of open strings notes. Now, let's check exactly how you can do that! :)

What Are Open Notes On Guitar

You should already know open string note names. If you need a reminder, check out these common English mnemonics for the open string note names:

Eddie

Ate

Dynamite

Good

Bye

Eddie

To locate the notes of your fretboard, you have to count up from these open strings. Each note on the circle is a semitone, which is one fret on the guitar. Two semitones make one tone, which is two frets on the guitar.

On the note circle, you'll remember that some of the white notes have sharps and flats between them and some of them do not. For example, E to F is a semitone apart, or one semitone/one fret. However, F to G is a tone apart - two semitones / two frets. It makes sense, right? :)

For now, we're only going to be worrying about the white notes - no sharps and flats yet!

How To Practice Open Notes On The Guitar

This theory isn't something you need to practice over and over again! Learning this is more like studying - look at it long enough until you've understood and memorized it.

Use this diagram you can use to guide you - but you shouldn't be glued to it. Try to visualize the open notes in your mind - or even better - locate them on your guitar as you learn each one.

Focus on knowing the white notes in the open position. Spend some time practicing this by adding this lesson to your practice routine. Run your fingers through the notes, and play the white notes up and down. The goal is to figure out all of the notes you might want to play in the open position.

If you feel that you can easily name and play all of those notes, move on to a more practical exercise. You can spend extra time on chord changes or improving your guitar rhythm. Always focus on practicing the skills that challenge you the most. :)

Diggin' music theory and want to learn more? Check out the JustinGuitar Practical Music Theory Course. A practical. fun, and fast music theory course for guitar players to help connect your skills to your musical imagination! :)

Now - it's time to wrap up Module 8 and to set up an effective practice schedule.