Learn the notes on the fretboard. Use Octaves

Fretboard familiarity, memorizing the notes on the neck, increasing your fretboard knowledge. We all want these things. But memorizing the notes on the fretboard can seem like a daunting task...on the guitar I'm holding, there are 132 possible notes to play!
Mapping octaves to the fretboard allows you to build a reliable scaffolding that you can use to find ANY NOTE you need, and also doubles as a way to map and keep ANY new information on the neck!
00:00 Thesis
00:59 Introduction
02:08 Lesson
15:18 Wrap Up
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[@zakdhabalia8280]

Goodness me, probably one of the single most useful guitar theory lessons on the entire internet. I'm always staggered how there are just outlier teachers who can actually provide genuine gifts of insight and teaching to us. Thank you for your time and generosity.

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Zac! Glad you found the channel

[@Ynherag]

Fun fact: with this method, you don't need pentatonic or whatever boxes anymore. Learn your intervals. And name them while you're playing. Thanks Chris!

[@miketracy5510]

This feels like a video I’m going to keep coming back to until the content is internalized. Great video and well explained

[@curiousguitarist]

Yup, but mark my words here, once you "get" this pattern it contains everything, and you'll see "through" it better and better as you repeat it. The ENTIRE CAGED system is inside this construct for example.

[@cubic3817]

Guys it might take a minute for it to stick but once it does it’s life changing, don’t give up🔥🔥🔥

[@curiousguitarist]

Right?~! Truth folks...truth.

[@Befffy]

Never thought of the fretboard in this way. The boom came at the exact moment you unlocked something in my brain.

[@curiousguitarist]

SO great to hear, Befffy! I'm glad you're here mate!

[@josephurbanowski5847]

It never occurred to me to use the C shape chord to quickly find the octave going back across the strings.👍🏼 I ALWAYS learn something new in your videos.! Thanks Chris..!👍🏼❤️

[@curiousguitarist]

I'm so glad, Joe! Thanks for all your support in The Studio, I'm so glad to have you on board.

[@joycegrove5602]

I did the octaves exercise from your old video and it totally opened up the fretboard to me - GAME CHANGER!! Thanks Chris!!

[@curiousguitarist]

do. it. again. :)

[@joycegrove5602]

@@curiousguitarist I am!! :D

[@tone-glide2402]

Very important lesson here. Some players think its not that important, but knowing all the notes actually makes the fretboard seem smaller and easier to navigate. Great advice! here!

[@marcbe001]

I don't get ah ha moments so often watching guitar tutorials... But here is one. Chris, you are one of the best teachers around. Calm attitude and right to the point. Keep it up !

[@curiousguitarist]

Wow, thanks! So good to have you here!

[@jen8441]

What about the elusive 13th H note ? I know nobody ever talks about it but,,,🤔 hahaha😂 thank you as always Chris 💜

[@curiousguitarist]

Yeah, the H's are a slippery gang.

[@BakariHenryGideon]

Oh boy! This is what I have been trying to all this while to unlock.Thank you sir.

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks for being here. Glad I could help!

[@aaronp6426]

Exactly what I needed. Thank you 1000 times over

[@curiousguitarist]

You're so welcome!

[@kane6529]

One thing I’ve noticed is being a bassist that started playing guitar. The bass is how much easier the bass is with learning notes/patterns! I really realized how being tuned all in fourths makes everything so clean, I really see the relationship between intervals more clearly. It pointed out how important knowing that major third pattern compared to all the others!

[@maryk6780]

You take the mystery out of guitar so succinctly. You never waste time showing-off. You just get right to the point. I really appreciate your lessons. Thank you.

[@curiousguitarist]

That means a lot to me, thank you.

[@toxikprophetbeats]

This has been one of the best videos I have ever seen!!

[@curiousguitarist]

So glad! Thanks for the views and comments

[@jasonh6441]

Damn, I'm on lunch..., can't wait to get home tonight and try this. Awesome instruction as usual Mr. Sherland

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks, Jason. This one is very beneficial for shining some light into any dark spots on the fretboard.

[@yoancatherine]

Powerful. Thanks Chris! 🎸

[@punchrunliftoutdoortrainin2871]

Best tutor on the net. 👏

[@curiousguitarist]

That's really meaningful to me, thank you very much.

[@edhencher780]

Hey Chris. You gave me this to work on in our first lesson. I've done these patterns ever since and yes, they do eventually become second nature. All of these lessons you are sharing are like building blocks that allow us to build our musical house. Some houses are fancier, but we can all build a place to live musically in. I've said this many times already, but thank you for all you do.

[@curiousguitarist]

So glad you still recall this drill Ed. Thanks so much for your support!

[@FlaschDJ]

Ed has the perfect attitude: “eventually become second nature”. “EVENTUALLY” All those “memorize the fretboard in 11 minutes” are absolute BS. Learning to find notes “instantly” is what we need - not to “calculate” the note. You can’t calculate while the metronome clicks away; you’ll be left behind. Getting to “instantly” can take YEARS not minutes - but it’s worth the voyage. Thank Ed, for being rational.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@FlaschDJ truth! But the alternate way to think about it is that any task, skill, capability you want to get, is really only "hours" away from mastery. The ultimate measure time-wise, is how long it takes you to commit and run those hours :)

[@FlaschDJ]

@@curiousguitarist I respectfully disagree. Anything that can be “mastered” in hours has little value. Skills that make other guitarists jealous can take years or decades. (Few people want to hear that). Ed seems to know I’m right. Can you teach somebody me to sight-read sheet-music in hours? I doubt it. We’re talking years. Again: (Few people want to hear that). I long to hear words like these: Learning to “instantly” find notes on the fretboard takes LOADS of practice” but is worth the effort.

[@mwpoppy7162]

Really enjoy your teaching style

[@curiousguitarist]

Thank you.

[@kieranbarry7036]

Thanks very much Chris , for the wonderful method and easy going style , of your teaching. Your the best. Take care.

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks for the kind word, I’m glad the channel lands well for you, Kieran

[@witchdoctor7398]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention 'root' notes. I'm only learning, but looked like you were hitting all the root notes to me. I've been doing this same thing, but with a little bit different approach. I've been working along the lines of memorizing the location of the major and minor root locations (for C and G) within the pentatonic and diatonic scale patterns. And, then playing the notes between the octaves (roots) for practice. Anyway, this absolutely looks like something worth working into my bank of knowledge. Anything that will improve my play, practice and knowledge of the Guitar is worth some time committing to memory. Oh, and thanks, Chris, for making this video (and others like it) and posting it up on youtube. There are only a few youtube 'Guitar Teachers' worth watching... You are one of the best.

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so on the right track, what you’re doing and these types of exercises will open up the fretboard quickly. Remember that any note can be the root of something, it’s all about context. Take this drill through the circle of fifths and I promise you’ll see the fretboard in a new light by the end of your first attempt

[@alisterthompson1797]

This is Gold! Thanks Chris.

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Alister!

[@jeffreyvanausdal115]

Your explanation is so easy to understand. Thank you!

[@curiousguitarist]

You're very welcome, so glad this one was helpful, Jeffrey.

[@Skamoni06]

I watch the video at least once every couple days just to remind myself how useful this is; every day I am aiming to learn one new note (in the circle of fifths) and all of its octaves on the fretboard. Cannot thank you enough!

[@metalassmike]

Great stuff as always Chris, thanks man

[@TheSingingDoctor325]

This is very helpful - thank you!

[@masonyork12]

This is so amazing! Thank you for the useful lesson!

[@curiousguitarist]

So glad to hear that, Mason. Glad you're here!

[@k2dave1969]

This video is absolutely amazing....Chris TY!

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Dave. Glad you’re here

[@NDFlyFisher]

Wow! This is so powerful. I’ve been struggling with leaning the neck. Thanks Chris!

[@curiousguitarist]

This is the best way!!

[@tonybraines7172]

Me too and it's not for the lack of effort. Right tool for the job. What a great teacher Chris is.

[@ecvargas5272]

Dang, that was awesome. Thanks!

[@gailyplays5156]

OMG. This is a complete lightbulb moment. Why didn’t anyone explain this before. Thanks Chris awesome.

[@curiousguitarist]

It's such a relief when you get this matrix isn't it? It was huge for me and I'm so happy to share it. Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@user-bn8rz3vo9k]

Great lesson. Thank you :)

[@stevieboi61]

thankyou very much for sharing Chris. i greatly appreciate.

[@curiousguitarist]

You are SO welcome, Stevie!

[@zazoomatt]

I agree being a past student for about 2 years. So Important to know !

[@jmoorecareers]

Brilliant! Thanks, Chris.

[@curiousguitarist]

My pleasure~

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Great content . . . Always.

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks, Michael!

[@ericathlan3518]

Thanx Chris. Looks like this way of looking at the fretboard makes the scale «boxes» almost obsolete. Since all the juice is in the intervals, bracketing the scales between the octave notes makes it a lot easier to target the desired intervals and knowing where the next octave is lets you navigate up and down the fretboard more intuitively...except now I got me some homework to do ;-)

[@curiousguitarist]

There's always some homework :) Thanks Eric!

[@paulfoytack5267]

71 year old beginner old dog here. I just learned a new trick. Thanks Chris!

[@curiousguitarist]

So glad you’re here, Paul!

[@tonybraines7172]

This has been a light bulb moment for me. Thanks for sharing my friend 🎉

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome

[@tonybraines7172]

@curiousguitarist you don't know how much brother

[@marvinrudd5268]

Awesome lesson! Your great at making things look so simple. Please keep the videos coming.

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks, so glad you're enjoying the channel, more to come!

[@frankaq3951]

This is gold, Chris. Always picking up great ideas, here. Thanks!

[@curiousguitarist]

Of course, Frank. I’m glad that this one was helpful

[@timsellsted521]

This is a great reminder to use those octaves. Cool Chris!

[@curiousguitarist]

You bet, Tim!

[@williamrogers1803]

What a great insight for someone just starting out. It really simplifies the fretboard and makes it much less intimidating. Thank you!!

[@curiousguitarist]

You bet! Happy to help

[@nz7166]

ty! very helpful tips here

[@curiousguitarist]

You bet, N Z!

[@kevinrich5312]

I love your comment that “you will never be able to unsee the things on the fretboard again”. That is Soooo true! When I did your first octave lesson those points and visuals are cemented in my brain. Thank you! Now I have a new lesson to get to.

[@randrothify]

Really outstanding lesson that gives a great mnemonic!

[@FlaschDJ]

Great mnemonic?

[@slinkytones1736]

Brilliant way to start mastering the fretboard, thank you! 🎸😄

[@curiousguitarist]

Very welcome, glad you enjoyed it, Slinky!

[@tylerwillison4962]

You have a great way of delivering information. I’ll be referencing this video until I have it under my fingers. Thank you!

[@curiousguitarist]

It won't take long, Tyler! And the impact will be very dramatic.

[@adavies3]

I wish I could afford to give you more! You’re such a fantastic teacher. Love from the UK.

[@curiousguitarist]

Wow, thank you! Any support is always welcomed, and deeply appreciated. I'm so glad this stuff is helpful for you!

[@capbubba]

Great lesson as always Chris, octave patterns are a great tool, now gotta take it around the Co5s 😉

[@diegomoretto9637]

This is by far the best video on octaves and understanding the fretboard. Please continue sharing your tutorials are só good!

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Diego! More on the way!

[@ChrisRogersMusic]

Man… 1,000% can’t unsee these patterns now. I saw another video where you talked about this and then came across this again and it just clicked

[@curiousguitarist]

Awesome! I remember that moment well...thanks for being here, Chris

[@JamieScimeca]

Thank you so much for this, you have really opened my eyes to more than just playing tabs and slowly but surely it's getting easier for me to know where I am on the board!

[@curiousguitarist]

That is so great to hear, Jamie. Once you start to see how it all lays out you can’t unsee it :)

[@Mr.Krinkle]

Some lessons just click. This is one of them. :)

[@curiousguitarist]

So glad to hear that! Thnx

[@astarpery6260]

Doing this exercise and seeing the patterns has been the single most useful thing i've ever done in 19 years of playing. Never thought i'd be able to play outside of one position because it seems too hard to memorise. This is insane...all of a sudden things have opened up Just anchoring to that root note and understanding where that is has been a complete lifechanger when it comes to the scales suddenly popping out on the fretboard.

[@curiousguitarist]

Man, I loved that moment so much...it was like unwrapping a present that you didn't know you needed and having it be perfect. Thanks for the share!

[@Elizafoust]

Very thankful for these videos!! They are informative and clear without being overbearing. I've had so many breakthroughs from this channel!!! Thank you for helping me sharpen my voice!

[@curiousguitarist]

You're very welcome, Eliza!

[@LeftAloneTrusk]

Thank you

[@curiousguitarist]

You are welcome

[@John-tw1ke]

Wow! Thank you

[@curiousguitarist]

You're welcome, John!

[@John-tw1ke]

I have watched a few more of your lessons now and would like to say a couple things, 1: I wish I had found these lessons years ago, you have a natural gift for this, both teaching the guitar and showing/explaining things that are actually needed and immediately used. I’m sure you are positively changing the lives of many guitar players; and 2: I am now a subscriber, keep up the great work!

[@BT-th5zv]

Excellent Chris! - Brad

[@curiousguitarist]

Glad you enjoyed it, Brad!

[@lynfox1533]

That was a fabulous lesson Chris, thanks from your YT subscribers

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome Lyn! Thanks for being here.

[@jeffpodrug8942]

Thank you, Chris! I'm still hacking away until my surgery on April 16th. You've been amazing! I have it from D but I need to go to the circle of fifths video and start there. Thank you so much. ❤️

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Jeff. Take care and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[@therealist3359]

Nice lesson! I already knew how to find the notes by octaves but decided to try and learn them all by sight. More of a memory exercise than a guitar exercise. I have 4 of the 7 notes (no flats or sharps) memorized at this point in time. I have not used the 1 string at a time but instead for example will memorize every G on the 1st to 12th frets then try another note. I do this approximately 5 mins a day. know this is more work but I am retired and can spare the 5 mins.

[@curiousguitarist]

Nice!

[@padwayj]

Great lesson Chris! I always leave your theory lessons feeling inspired and with a new tool to master the instrument! Thank you as always!

[@curiousguitarist]

My pleasure, Jared. I'm glad these give you some inspiration. More to come!

[@FlaschDJ]

Respectfully: Why do you call this “theory”?

[@curiousguitarist]

@@FlaschDJ lack of something else to call it that is nice and short and descriptive I guess. What are your thoughts?

[@FlaschDJ]

@@curiousguitarist To assure we’re talking about the same hung: When I hear “theory”, I assume “music theory”. Music theory has to do with Chord spellings: Em = E, Bb, G (a triad). E is the root, Bb is the 3rd. The interval between Root and 3rd is 3 semitones for a minor triad; 4 semitones is a major triad. The circle of 5ths. Chord progressions (iI V I). Sub-dominants. Those sorts of things. Thanks again.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@FlaschDJ The natural notes and the distance between them might be the very first core theory principle. The stuff you mention has been built on that. (western) Theory starts there...answering this question: What are the notes on my instrument. It get's deeper and deeper after that :)

[@danielbinisti1913]

Another light bulb moment. This is absolutely essential, ao clearly delivered. A million thanks 😊 🙏

[@curiousguitarist]

You are so welcome, Daniel. Glad it was helpful.

[@vstags]

Luv it

[@gailwhite39]

I had a holy sh!t moment just watching the video, now to incorporate into my daily routine.

[@curiousguitarist]

Yes! That’s why I’m here, thanks for the comment, Gail!

[@kdavis63]

I know what I am going to get next week!

[@curiousguitarist]

Ha! Thanks Kevin! Mahalo!

[@Late70sRocker]

I check out music theory on KZbin, searched and found this. Thank you Chris for making it simple. I will look at your other instruction videos. Been practicing every day the past five years. Read your bio. BTW, I graduated the College of Santa Fe in 1986 (visual arts).

[@curiousguitarist]

Hey Alec, I bet you anything we were on campus around the same time! I'm glad you're here, keep up that pace and I hops these lessons are helpful!

[@TheMinorFallsTheMajorLifts]

❤

[@LoGsounds]

The answer is yes, you should memorize the notes. And this is the best way to do it!

[@curiousguitarist]

Yo LoG!!!! Hope all is well man!

[@FlaschDJ]

Good, relevant video. Octaves are a terrific, undervalued resource for “internalizing” the fretboard. Many intermediate guitarists can “instantly” find a C on the A string (3rd fret) or an A on the G string (2nd fret) but can’t instantly find a B on the D string (9th fret). That holds them back. Your method is, IMO, superb for approaching such familiarity. Many guitarists will say: “I don’t know where the B is on the D string, but I DO know where the B is on the E string (7th fret)!” That’s a limitation. Do you recommend learning to read music (standard notation)? If there is, for example, an E on the staff (bottom line), that E is the 9th fret on the G string.

[@curiousguitarist]

I recommend learning to read if you're going to consume new information, or perform using standard notation. Other than those instances I'm not sure it's worth the time.

[@FlaschDJ]

@@curiousguitarist Please explain what you mean by “consume new information”. Thanks

[@curiousguitarist]

Sorry! Just saw this. I meant if you are using staff to learn songs, or playing gigs that require reading.

[@danielrenaud3985]

That smoke you smell is my head exploding

[@curiousguitarist]

Haha! Hopefully you’ve got a fire extinguisher near you!!

[@abnerlouischarles]

What's the difference between saying the next note closest to the nut vs the lowest note. For instance I was expecting you to play the g on the e string as you moved through the circle of 5ths like you did on your circle of 5ths video but here you said the g that's closest to the nut and identified that as the open g string. Please explain this. By closest to the nut I thought you meant the lowest pitch of the note. And if there's a difference between the 2 which pattern should I follow as I'm applying new information to the circle of 5ths or is that something that doesn't really matter. Thank you.

[@curiousguitarist]

It really doesn’t matter, that’s just a constraint I chose to drive the first note selection. You can really do anything you prefer here. The real benefit of the exercise is to find the notes.

[@splashesin8]

😊

[@scottgardner4546]

What are the brackets supposed to be? Is this about octaves or fifths?

[@curiousguitarist]

This video is about octaves and using that structure to map the note names to the fretboard

[@KASKASM]

Key takeaway for me - "Everything...all 12 notes are inside this bracket."

[@curiousguitarist]

Exactly!

[@don911donny9]

No one ever explains the 5 semi-tone interval between strings except for the G to B strings step, which is four semitones, why ? Because between 6 strings there’s 5 gaps, 5 gaps x 5 semi-tones = 25 semitones, but there’s 24 semitones between two octaves so we have to lose a semi-tone, that occurs between the G and B strings (it could happen between other strings but here is where it is).

[@curiousguitarist]

Nice context, thanks, Don!

[@asraiSOA]

Noob question/clarification. How do you know when to go up 3 frets as opposed to 2? Got a little lost on that part... the stings (up or down) makes sense, as well, you run out of strings.

[@curiousguitarist]

Not a noob question at all. It’s the B string! If the higher note is on the B or high E string you need to compensate for the B string being tuned down a half step.

[@asraiSOA]

@@curiousguitarist You DID mention the B string, but wasn't sure what you meant or that it included the high E as well (or I missed it). I think I get it now. Within the 2Fret/2Sting pattern, any time you're going up the 2 STRINGS, if the next note falls on either B or high E, you need to go up one FRET?

[@curiousguitarist]

@@asraiSOA perfect!

[@asraiSOA]

@@curiousguitarist Okay, that's pretty mind-blowing. The fretboard is intimidating to say the least. This 'formula' is straight forward and pretty darn easy to grasp. Many thanks for this video.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@asraiSOA you bet!!

[@Kevinschart]

Everything guitar related becomes exponentially easier when you know the notes. Learn one string at a time, then add another string, and another. It only takes 5 minutes a day, and after 30 days you'll own those notes. Once you know the notes you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. I prefer just KNOWING where my notes are. A piano player doesn't use an algorithm to find notes they simply KNOW their note locations. My process was to learn all the C-D-E and F-G-A-B clusters on all strings. Each note in the cluster is 1 whole step apart. It gave me a linear view, almost like a piano. Eventually the cluster concept faded away I just knew where the notes where. I learned accidentals as well. Don't cheat yourself

[@curiousguitarist]

Great context, Kevin! I would never suggest anyone cheat themselves. I've taught thousands of students this way...they all thank me :)

[@Kevinschart]

@@curiousguitarist I know Chris...And you'll make more guitarists than I ever will. But there are people out there looking for reasons not to do the work on the fretboard. Just giving them an extra kick in the pants.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@Kevinschart yup! Love a good kick in the pants

[@FlaschDJ]

Kevin gets it.

[@FlaschDJ]

@@Kevinschart Which guitar teacher would get more customers? A) The one who said “Master guitar in 3 weeks!! Or… B) “Master guitar gradually over 2 years”. ? I pick B although he’d probably go broke by being honest. Chris is honest. Of course it takes time. Of course we have to practice! But people want quick, simply-obtained mastery. No such thing.

[@christophergilson9984]

Light bulb just went on!

[@curiousguitarist]

Keepin the lights on, and stayin' on! GO GO GO!

[@StevenVore]

Chris, youTube has broken your "I did a video here," now at 8:35 you're pointing at nothing. I noticed this on another of your videos that I was watching earlier today as well, though it might just be an aberration but noticed it again here.

[@curiousguitarist]

I just watched it and the link shows for me...weird. Thanks for the heads up!

[@StevenVore]

@@curiousguitarist interesting. I just checked on my iPhone (iOS 16.5) and the label appears. I was on Win 11 Edge this afternoon when it didn’t appear.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@StevenVore weird! I’ll keep my eyes on it, thanks for looking out!

[@jonnyroxx7172]

This is how I started learning the notes on the fretboard and it’s valid. However, it only got me so far. At some point, at least for what I wanted to do on the instrument, I simply had to know EVERY NOTE without thinking about it, without having to “find” anything.

[@curiousguitarist]

How did you eventually get to your goal? This method does include ever note on the fretboard, so I am curious as to how it did not get you the knowledge you were looking for. Thanks for the comment.

[@thomashalley7258]

My problem is remembering the whole step, half step on a string vs a keyboard.

[@curiousguitarist]

You mean for natural notes? The way I remembered it was "everything is a whole step apart except for B/C and E/F"

[@thomashalley7258]

@@curiousguitarist Its the not having a visual difference between that messes me up. I didnt have to memorize the scale notes on the piano cause I had the white key, black key as a visual that I was always referencing.

[@curiousguitarist]

@@thomashalley7258 oh that’s easy to fix! Takes a few focused hours and then, bam! You’ve got it forever.

[@822nivla]

138 notes actually. 22 frets plus the open string times 6 = 23 x 6. 😬

[@curiousguitarist]

Whatever it takes! Thanks Greg!

[@redstep-child3096]

Nerd

[@curiousguitarist]

Every day

[@redstep-child3096]

@@curiousguitarist *edit* One of my favorite nerds. Thank you for what you do, sir.

[@redstep-child3096]

I love big MO

[@garygowland4738]

Your guitar is too loud in your videos. Cant hear you soeak.

[@curiousguitarist]

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll adjust that in future videos!