do you know what notes you are playing?

[davekllawre210]

when you play guitar to you actually know what notes you are playing. like i have no clue what 9th fret on the D string is, unless i take my time to figure it out and count nine half steps from D or something. is it important to know all the notes? if so whats an easy way to learn it?

[i like tictacs]

I don't think about it when I'm playing, but if you asked me what the 9th fret on the d-string is, i could shoot back that it's a B

[i am sam2]

I don't think about it when I'm playing, but if you asked me what the 9th fret on the d-string is, i could shoot back that it's a B

same

EDIT: i think it is important to be able to go back and name the notes.

[dmbguitar718]

you will learn in time. when playing, you don't think "c to the a b c f f c c d e f e" etc. but you should be able to find the note that you're playing. it'll become more and more easy the more you play.

[i am sam2]

you will learn in time. when playing, you don't think "c to the a b c f f c c d e f e" etc. but you should be able to find the note that you're playing. it'll become more and more easy the more you play.

exactly

[MattJ]

It will start to sink in after a while if you take some time to think about what you're playing sometimes.

Something simple that's helped me get more familiar with the fretboard is just to draw a fretboard and write the notes on it a few times. (Good when you're doodling in class or meetings or whatever). There are definite repeating patterns in there.

Might be a good idea to start with learning the "first position" notes (frets 0-4 on all 6 six strings). The fretboard will start to unlock itself after you get that down because of the way the notes repeat and seeing the patterns will start to help.

i.e. The notes of low E string frets 5-9 are the same as low A string's 0-4 and so on.

Code: Select all

First Position:
0  1  2  3  4    <= Fret number
E|-F|--|-G|--|
B|-C|--|-D|--|
G|--|-A|--|-B|
D|--|-E|-F|--|
A|--|-B|-C|--|
E|-F|--|-G|--|

Up to the 12th fret:
0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12                   <- Fret Number
E|-F|--|-G|--|-A|--|-B|-C|--|-D|--|-E|
B|-C|--|-D|--|-E|-F|--|-G|--|-A|--|-B|
G|--|-A|--|-B|-C|--|-D|--|-E|-F|--|-G|
D|--|-E|-F|--|-G|--|-A|--|-B|-C|--|-D|
A|--|-B|-C|--|-D|--|-E|-F|--|-G|--|-A|
E|-F|--|-G|--|-A|--|-B|-C|--|-D|--|-E|

[Davy28]

I have to quite frequently when I am doing one of two things. First, if I am figuring out really weird chords, I look at the scale and if there is a funny note is the scale, like an augmented note, I have to know where that note is and how to place it most efficiently within the chord.
Second, if I am constructing a lead part using alternate chord voicings I have to do that alot, such as if I want to double a note up or down an octave.

[mrjones]

i know the notes, but i only use that when i want to play the song on piano

[EnFuego]

something to help with learning frets on the fretboard, take a look at:

http://www.fretboardwarrior.com

just download it for free