The Absolute Fretboard Method

All The Steps To Learn And Master
The Fretboard Of Guitar And Bass

First, Define Your Goal

So you want to "learn the fretboard" of your guitar or bass. OK, let's see together exactly what that means:

1. Absolute Fretboard Knowledge

To know each and every note on the fretboard,
immediately, naturally and effortlessly,
just like you know the open strings.

2. Two-way Knowledge

One way is from position to note — you see (or think of) any position on the fretboard and immediately know which note it is.

The other way is from a note to its position — you see (or think of) any note and immediately know where to play it on the fretboard.

These are two different aspects — two sides of the coin — and you want to be equally skilled in both directions.

3. No Thinking And No Hesitation

As long as you need to think, "What is this note?", or "Where is G^# ?", you are wasting time, energy, and concentration which should be focused on playing and enjoying the music. Mistakes, hesitations, frustration, etc, will be inevitable. Therefore your goal is to know and use the whole fretboard without having to think about it and without any hesitation.

4. Effortlessly

Some effort is necessary to develop the skill, but the goal is to know the fretboard (and use that knowledge) without effort or strain.

5. Know flats and sharps equally well

Because the same note can be called, for example, either C^# or D^b, it is important that you know it both ways equally well.

The Absolute Fretboard Method

Here are the learning steps and stages you will experience while developing absolute fretboard knowledge.

1. Learning the basics

You don't need to study music theory or sight-reading, but you should at least be familiar with a few basic concepts such as note names, flats and sharps, the chromatic scale, the division of the octave in 12 semitones, etc.

If you need it, the first lesson of the program will bring you up to the mark with these concepts. This will be the only "theory" lesson — all the rest is practice.

2. Exploring the fretboard

If you never systematically explored the fretboard before, this is the time to do it (note the emphasis on "systematically").

The second lesson of the program will show you a simple but very useful exercise that will prepare you for the main training sessions.

3. Starting the main exercises

4. Go through the whole fretboard methodically

Fret by fret, string by string, you will go through the whole fretboard. You will find this process fascinating, because the program will be constantly monitoring your progress and performance in every area of the fretboard, as well as showing your improvements on a series of "progress maps".

On these maps you can see where your strengths and weaknesses are, and with a single click you can tell the program to give you training where you need it most.

This is the main phase of the course. It will last a few weeks, with 10-15 minutes a day of practice a day. By the end of it you will have acquired a superior knowledge of the fretboard.

5. Final touches

The program will then offer you a few special exercises and some tips for the occasional follow-up session.

That will bring you to the end of the course, and your absolute fretboard knowledge will be pretty much cast in concrete.

From that moment, every time you pick up your instrument to play, you will enjoy the fruits of your work.

The Software

Here is the TOOL to put this into practice:

The Absolute Fretboard Trainer