The Guitar Fretboard Trick You Can't Unsee

Whatever works, I suppose. What's been effective for me with students is first to understand that the 12th fret is the octave, which is where the note on any of the open strings begins over again. Second each string contains every possible note once and only once going from open to 12th fret -- each once per octave. In other words, it's not random, each string is just starting at a different place. Also point out that notes on the E strings are the same. Then point out that if you play a note and go towards the body two frets and down two strings toward the floor, you have the same note an octave higher. (Pointing out the pesky B string has to be three frets.) Then learn the notes on the low E string, especially E F G A B C D E. Understand that sharps and flats are just the same notes one fret away. At that point, you can figure out four strings from knowing just one. The learn the concept of a fifth, and do the same thing one string down and two frets up (other than the B string) and you have the whole neck. Eventually point out that the notes in each string can skip down a string starting on the fifth fret. In other words, give the student tools to figure out notes, not just mnemonic phrases for particular spots. And it's very important to point out that chords can move the same way. Show how the E chord moves up and down the neck depending on the note on the low E, etc.

I've been playing for years and never learned the note's on the fretboard but I seem to hit the right ones when I'm soloing 🎸🎵🎵

A beginning student, no matter his age, will learn to do this within two months at most. The acronym will not be necessary. Guitar learner will quickly develop this intuition.

This was great for me! I am learning the natural notes on the fretboard now. I know where all my Es and Fs are. Now, using your acronym I know all the notes on the fifth fret. Thank you for this quick lesson!

Or just remember 5th fret is same as open string above. 7th fret is same note as open string below. No need for remembering convoluted acronyms. And you now have two points you can jump to, on top of knowing 12th is octave of open string.

And every one of those notes are in the C major/A minor pentatonic. Each note there can be a jumping off point for soloing.

Thank you

Good tip. Here is your 50!

I would teach my students the open strings with the phrase eat all dead groundhogs before evening

Those memory tricks create short-term gains and slow long-term performance. You are much better off actually memorizing things for what they are than inserting something about dog food.

Fifth fret on the b string is an E note.You called an E a B

Nice. I like to do a mix of acronyms and just treating it like it's a nonsensical word. ADGCEA is a black girls name in my mind and her BF is on top of her. Sounds stupid but it's all subconscious after it sinks in your repertoire. EADGBE is a word F CF BEA is a woman's name GCF DG B ADGCEA F BEAD B CF. GC Is can't find Guitar Center BE. Is a word DGCFAD is David Geffen Company FAD Back to EADGBE Then GAB and CDE make parallel patterns on string pairs. When you make it a game and challenge yourself, it's fun and you just get better and better!

😴😴😴😴😴😴

Uh.. you mean A, D, G, C, E, A...You said: "A, D, G, C, B, A"...you said B instead of E....It's the B string, and E at the 5th fret...Your acronym is correct though.