How (and why) to Learn the Notes on Guitar

[@TheWindstorm2012]

"Lord knows there are more important things in life you should be ashamed of" This man knows me. Jokes aside, awesome as always.

[@sarad9626]

Your videos are so straight to the point and yet so informative. Your music theory turns complicated concepts into an easy to understand lesson. Thank you so much!!

[@seandaniel23]

+Sara D So glad to hear that, it took me awhile to figure a lot of this stuff out and I never felt anyone could explain it to me in a way I could understand, so I've been trying to break it down a little differently. Happy to help!

[@Anarcath]

I started learning the guitar a year ago. I intuitively knew that theory was fundamental to becoming a musician. So I learned all the notes, scales, cords and arpeggios throughout the fretboard and how they’re formed. There is still much for me to learn, but I feel I’m on the right track.

[@silverhandle]

That’s a lot you did in a year!

[@HeyitsNathlye]

I’ve been trying for years to understand guitar and this is the first time someone has explained it in a way that I can immediately and confidently grasp. Amazing.

[@jamesbelty806]

Same here. I finally have some time to spend on the guitar, and Sean helps a great deal to better simplify the structure. Thanks Sean!

[@pumpjackmcgee4267]

Just got a guitar and I have absolutely zero musical knowledge, so this is immensely helpful. Thank you.

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the guitar community man!

[@pumpjackmcgee4267]

Gracias. By-the-by, you have anything on changing strings? Because I just snapped one.

[@seandaniel23]

Bummer! I don't have a video on that but I've heard that JustinGuitar guy has a good one.

[@pumpjackmcgee4267]

Sean Daniel Awesome. Thanks.

[@tusharseth2539]

Sean Daniel nice man .. you even referring to others (not competitive ;p).. really appreciate that

[@charlesedwards1274]

Have been trying to play guitar since 1965, hey perhaps I am stupid !!! Now retired and just bought myself a new Strat and am determined to give it my best and last shot. I can understand these videos, never could with the 1 to 1 teaching route. Thank you so very much, I am getting the basics now and feel I will get there now.....well here's hoping.

[@seandaniel23]

+Charles Edwards Awesome to hear! Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help!

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Props, because the way you explain and show us these things and tricks is probably the best I have found on KZbin!

[@sohampathak344]

Sean you make guitar learning so easy. I'm 26 and I picked the guitar up like 3 months back. Not saying I'm the best but the way you teach makes me already sound like a funky guitar player and I'm already jamming with bands. Wohoo!

[@seandaniel23]

So cool to hear!

[@thebigness71]

"Shame" That one hit too close. It's what has kept me from playing out. I've been playing for 30 years and your videos are helping to unlock things I should learned a long time ago. Thank you brother.

[@jorge44718]

This literally made life so much easier. Not only is it easier to learn scales but as you learn one you literally learn more at the same time. If you learn the E pentatonic major scale you have also learned the C,D,G and ETC. Thank you!

[@seandaniel23]

+george quintero Happy to help! You'll have that fretboard mastered in no time!

[@ilaila3504]

I'd like to say thank you, this video and the other video showing beginner triad information, is like a secret almost guitarists. I know most people won't agree with me but I've been trying to understand it for years. I've played guitar for 25 years, and never been able to understand music theory in guitar.. I've paid for tuition and that led me to your videos to try and practise what I've been learning. So really big thank you for your unique and condensed lessons

[@seandaniel23]

So happy to help! Thanks for reaching out and saying so!

[@ZebulaJams]

5:48 No matter what instrument it's played on: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, violin, piano, every single time I hear that low G and the octave G, my brain immediately thinks that C# should come next. Thanks, Black Sabbath.

[@TheBcoolGuy]

ZebulaJams What song is that?

[@Mikachu2407]

google?

[@atfkdi7940]

TheBcoolGuy song is black sabbath, from the album black sabbath, from artist black sabbath.

[@cody-joe1030]

EXACTLY!!

[@semi-pro8444]

I've just started playing guitar mate and am digging your videos. No info overload, just the important stuff that everyone should know. Thanks for the help mate!!

[@rickybgoode9078]

You are not just a great guitarist and instructor; you are a great speaker! Thanks Sean!

[@voltmeter2]

I have been playing for many years not knowing the notes on the neck. Never seen anyone describe it this way. It makes prefect sense don't know why I did not see this years ago. I got some work to do. Thanks!!

[@alaknandaagarwal8431]

I think this is your first guitar note tutorial I've fully understood. Very well explained and informative.

[@chordstrummer3410]

Your lessons are clear and easy to follow. Thank you Sean. It is appreciated!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for checking them out!

[@tubbysnowman]

The first thing I learned when I picked up a guitar was how to tune using relative tuning. Basically I would tune the Low E using a piano, then tune the remaining strings by comparing the 5th fret of the lower string. (except fr the B which is actually the 4th fret of the G) This basically tells you another trick to learn part of the fret board 5th fret of the low string is the same note as the open next string (except for B).

[@justinjex1]

Thank you. One of the biggest question I had was about knowing if you had to memorize the entire fret board for understanding guitar music theory. It's good to know that you don't because I have found you to be very knowledgeable about guitar theory. So I will rest a little easier about that.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimferguson7503]

Always brilliant Sean. Started playing thirty years ago at the age of forty. Back in the day it was books, tapes and private lessons with no additional take home resources. So easy to forget what you were just taught. So much time and money wasted with very little progress. Now we have great internet sites like yours that fill so many gaps. I will never be a gifted guitarist but just get so much satisfaction from singing a few songs and picking out melodies, plus learning something new everyday. I would guess that so many people who love this instrument are just like me. Please keep the "good stuff" coming and ignore any negative comments from folks that have no concept of your offbeat approach and sense of humour. Always maintain that entertaining approach to your lessons, as, I for one really enjoy them.

[@seandaniel23]

My man Jim!!! Thanks so much for reaching out and saying so. I'll keep em coming!

[@DanSZiegler]

Great tips and tricks. Thanks Sean!

[@seandaniel23]

+Daniel Ziegler Always happy to help Daniel.

[@Rock-iw7ov]

the first 30 seconds of this video literally described me as a guitarist perfectly

[@seandaniel23]

Culled from personal experience :)

[@Rock-iw7ov]

Sean Daniel really? Wow! how did you get on track?

[@cdusty308]

Thanks Sean. You continually build my confidence.

[@michaelglendinning1738]

Thank you. I like your style of teaching sir. Ty

[@MrNguyenquangdao]

That's exactly what I went through when trying to remember notes on the fretboard. I'm impressed also by the way you sound your ending sounds.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@keechpeach2863]

That was great! I've been playing for years and wouldn't call it shame exactly but I get frustrated at times because I don't know this stuff and can't seem to understand it when I try, but this was really helpful.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@mohom._]

I've learned 2 things from your video, about the notes, of course, and that talking on point makes things simpler

[@jackrochester7400]

Just looking for some advice from anyone who has got past this stage on the guitar. I Can play barre chord shapes quite comfortably and I am in the process of learning the notes of each string. I wondering on what the next thing I should focus on should be? Should I have a look at some scales? Maybe some different shapes/chords. I just want to be able to navigate the fretboard a bit better and be able to piece together riffs/licks

[@rooftub857]

i have been ashamed of not knowing notes for years.. thank you sean!

[@seandaniel23]

Don't be ashamed, you know them now. Your welcome :)

[@SunKing968]

Thanks Sean you are clearly a talented teacher

[@petedavis7970]

I'm really enjoying your videos. They come off as very well thought out and well organized. Very well done.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Pete!

[@petedavis7970]

You did a video a while back on fast chord changes... But it doesn't look like you've done anything on how to improve picking speed. This is my nemesis. I've been trying for a couple of years and, yes, it slowly improves, but it's not even close to where I'd like to get. It's like there's this barrier that I can't seem to get past and I keep trying different practice techniques to improve it. Started just doing scales, over and over and over again. Finally dug out a metronome and did them against the metronome, but eventually hit the wall and couldn't really move past it. I've tried practicing various ascending and descending patterns to see if they would somehow eventually impart speed. When I was really focused on speed, I'd spend at least an hour a day doing scales and patterns and stuff. I finally just got tired of trying to go for speed and moved on to other stuff. I don't need to shred, but there are a lot of solos that simply require a certain degree of speed that i have so far been unable to attain. If you could do a lesson on, not only how to get your speed up, but also where to set your expectations... "If you practice an hour a day, you should expect blah blah blah" kind of advice. Yeah, I know everyone's different. And I know tons of people have covered speed picking, but most of them aren't nearly as good at teaching stuff as you are.

[@swam4362]

All the notes that can be played on anything are as follows: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B So if you're in E standard tuning on guitar, the strings will be tuned to play E, A, D, G, B, and E. So if you start on the G string (haha), the notes on the fretboard will just start on the first fret with G#. All 12 notes make up the chromatic scale. This is a super basic thing to know on guitar.

[@CIIZARmusic]

Your videos are just exactly what I need right now. Sometimes KZbin works in mysterious ways. Strangely weird-tactic.

[@seandaniel23]

Glad you're finding them helpful!

[@jeffrey3498]

Hey Sean, I found it easier to find notes when I learned all the C notes, all the G notes, all the D notes, etc. Before the 12th fret each string only has one of each of the notes. And the sharps and flats are just simply a matter of finding the natural note and moving either up or down one fret. So essentially by systematically learning the seven natural notes on each string you can immediately find any note you want quickly without having to go through the gymnastics of octaves. It's a one step process rather than a two step process, and all the notes above the 12th fret just repeat what you already know. FWIW.

[@joe-un1ky]

How did you memorize them? As in what did you actually do to drill them in?

[@MichaelStephenLordReserei1987]

Pretty handy to know your notes if you're like me and have stubby fingers, and struggle with some finger positions when it comes to lead. You can usually find alternative finger positions that are more comfortable. But also, I guess when you're going from one tuning to another, transposing. But that's probably for intermediate to advanced level stuff. I've been playing for 16 years so far--second nature whether I'm playing in standard, Drop C, Drop A# etc.

[@seandaniel23]

Yup! It's all about finding patterns and shapes that'll help you identify things until your ear improves :)

[@haeleypapa]

Great video Sean..I play the drums in church but I would love to really play the guitar..started this year and it's going great.

[@seandaniel23]

+haeleypapa Very cool man, I'm the opposite. Started on guitar and picked up drums. Your drum background is gonna help you so much! Have fun and good luck!

[@donindri]

Great lesson. When I was a total beginner, I would have been somewhat distracted by the C#/Db. Yeah I was easily distracted, still am! So I would tell anyone to call this a C# going up in pitch, and a Db on the way down for memorizing. Then I would explain that yes it’s the very same pitch and why we need two names. Very briefly, this confusing fact actually prevents further confusion when we make scales. You could actually wind up with two C’s or D’s, which would be even more confusing. I would also point out that our language has a lot of things that can only be understood in context, why should music be any different? “I found a new way to work today “, what did I say? I made all right turns? Got a bigger shovel so I could shovel more poop? Thanks for posting.

[@Supardanil]

Great tips and excellent clear teaching! Thanks for the video, and keep on doing what you're doing :)

[@seandaniel23]

+Daniel Tan Thanks a lot, I'll keep em coming!

[@meechstick]

Daniel Tan i

[@tonia.s.3412]

Daniel, very good. Thanks a lot.

[@seandaniel23]

+Toni A. S. Happy to help! Thanks for watching.

[@ako1439]

I'm probably overloaded on guitar teaching videos. But i just like them. And i can dream to play this well

[@chequemated]

Basic, but essential... and excellently delivered.. as usual

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@beiberismine]

You're the best teacher I've had in a long long loooooong time. Thank you so much. I love you 😂

[@seandaniel23]

+Sucheta Bandyopadhyay Thanks so much for reaching out and saying so!

[@Karma-kr5dd]

I've just found your channel...really good and easy to follow. Please keep up the good work.

[@seandaniel23]

+Karma 7 Will do! Thanks for the support!

[@martinevans7771]

great lesson thanks

[@seandaniel23]

+martin evans Happy to help!

[@erdogan330]

thank you so much great lesson.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching Erdogan!

[@shayanyadegari811]

Nice video! Nice tips.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@MrTraiq]

Thank you! I saw more then 20 video finally i got the appropriate answer. Now i know what the difference between chords and scale.

[@maryngox]

Very sympathetic interpretation. Thanks and keep goin.

[@seandaniel23]

+Maryn Václavák You got it!

[@spidey9511]

Sean I'm tryna learn a bit of applied guitar music theory i really like your videos. You make this stuff enjoyable at the very least less boring.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for saying so!

[@savannahpatterson5259]

This really helped me! My dad has tried explaining this too me but I just couldn't quite understand it but this helped a lot:)

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for watching Savannah!

[@harishreddy4034]

This is a great video. Anyone can understand this because it's beautifully simplified. Thanks a lot.

[@RaviTeja-nf1rc]

Awesome! Helped me a lot thank you so much.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@natelay7244]

Thanks for the vid. You make (finally) learning notes and chords not so horrible.

[@eyerien]

You are a great teacher - just subscribed!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much and welcome to the party!

[@Rahul-fq9kf]

Superb

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@lisam119]

a total newbie here, you make it seem easy so i'll keep watching till hopefully something clicks. :)

[@seandaniel23]

+lisam119 Best of luck to you and let me know what questions you have!

[@guranshsingh6643]

My gosh you have the power to explain me...

[@bogdanmatvienko6749]

thanks a lot, have learned so much from your videos. btw is there any video about how to mix chords properly? like blues 1 4 5 thing or whatever

[@seandaniel23]

+bogdan matvienko Happy to help! The closest thing I have to something like that is this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZC5pZ-uhr-bjtU Hopefully that helps out, but I'm probably putting a blues 1 4 5 one up later this week. Thanks for watching!

[@JagodeFan96]

Could you make a lesson about how to match chords with melodies ? I would be thankfull. appriciate all the previous lessons :)

[@seandaniel23]

+JagodeFan96 Great idea. I've got a couple I'm doing first but I'll definitely do one soon. Thanks.

[@pratikkhobragade2870]

I'm really glad that i found your channel! Keep doing the amazing work 👍😄👌😊

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much man!

[@spiritualsm9318]

thanks. you best teacher in youtube

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@spiritualsm9318]

Sean Daniel welcome

[@idfree7467]

Great,,. You're very talent guitarist, I appreciate of you sir...

[@jefersonsales2232]

I just love your channel bro

[@naghamadil9323]

Nice video keep going and do one string songs please

[@TheBcoolGuy]

Nagham Adil Learn to play on more than one string! Every string is 5 frets higher pitched than the previous, except for the B string, which is 4 frets.

[@chrishartmusic87]

That is fantastic info. Thanks a lot!!

[@seandaniel23]

+Chris Hart Happy to help!

[@allenmize2969]

Thanks! Great tip!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@reedrandoy]

So great and easy!

[@version1rock]

Thanks. This is actually very important

[@seandaniel23]

I know! I wish I would've learned them earlier :)

[@JRCGuitarist]

Lol shame is an interesting reason to learn the notes. I notice there is a tremendous amount of hate going both ways about music education whether it's jealousy or arrogance, especially on forums. I notice a lot of musicians constantly complaining about having to work with untrained musicians or calling other musicians lazy for not learning theory. It's really sad that people can't just relax and respect each others approaches. Simple things like this make it possible to not know and still be a master. I do find that knowing my notes have helped me with learning by ear. When I use riffstation to learn a song, I can look at the fretboard and know the notes I'm hearing as I match it up with the track, which I would imagine is great for ear training. I can also find notes that I want to play like root notes, and other notes I want to experiment with to see if it will work with the progression.

[@seandaniel23]

Right on! Knowing the notes is such an important part of playing, but I do know a bunch of players who have no clue and are amazing at their instrument, so different approaches for different people but this has sure helped me.

[@samfar28]

Sean Daniel helped me too..and I feel confident if I have to teach someone what I just played instead of saying..watch me play..

[@beautifulloser5011]

Thank you god I've been looking everywhere for someone to explain gutiar this easily( subscribed !!)

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@samg7076]

As usual one best lesson on youtube. I like to know what model is that sexy Taylor gat. Thanks

[@seandaniel23]

+Sam G Thanks! It's a GA3, they stopped making them though, and the closest thing they currently offer is the 314 (spruce top, sapele back and sides). Every now and then you'll see one pop up used online, I'd really recommend it. It plays awesome and is so well-balanced, a lot of the Taylors I find can be on the bright side, but I love that GA3.

[@thrashmastertim]

Well put. you rock!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Tim!

[@thrashmastertim]

I speak the truth! lol... Peace brother.

[@Mroklum12]

Thanks for an awesome lesson, though I've been struggling to remember which notes doesn't have a #, but I came up with a little solution. Just remember the question "Could there BE any more sharp notes?", if you've ever watched "Friends" and remember Chandler Bing, you will never ever forget which notes doesn't have a # :D

[@seandaniel23]

:)

[@richwiz2]

Thank-you Sean, I feel less guilt already. Now, if I ever could explain what a key is, I’d feel even better.

[@seandaniel23]

You're getting close!

[@downhill240]

Good lesson!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@morrelebissa5573]

Can you make a video on do remi fan si la do for some of us as beginners?

[@WhatsupZak]

I know this is an old video, but do you have anything where you show the practical application of this? I'm looking for ways to work this into my warm up and seeing you use this to make music would be helpful. Thanks for the vid man!

[@cazsnap]

This took way longer to learn than I thought it would, but the info is still great.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@louislam2470]

hi there, can i know why it takes C# and F#, instead of taking B and E? on 2:46

[@insanedrummer89]

Everytime I watch your vids besides the styles and modal stuff, gettin better at that, I think damn me and this dude know the same shit and even teach alike. Lol good stuff man

[@seandaniel23]

So cool to hear man, I'll keep em coming!

[@cullencarey9975]

WOW. the patterns continue

[@seandaniel23]

they never stop!

[@A10DoubleHelix]

Hey, I noticed you play a G major chord like me. Can you tell me why some books have different chords? Some say to hold 3rd fret strings 1 and 2, others just 1, like you and I are doing. Other variants I've seen is mainly F and C major as well, the rest mostly seem to be the same

[@seandaniel23]

+A10helixtangofoxtrot g Yeah some books and resources will vary how they display different chords. The main thing to keep in mind is when you see a chord chart, it's only telling you one 'voicing' of that chord, and they're probably using the one they feel is most common. There are several different voicings of each chord. For example, that G major chord you're referencing. A G major chord is anytime you can put the notes G, B, and D into one shape.So in your example, both those G major chords have the same strings 3-6 (on the 6th string it's a G, the 5th string is a B, the 4th string is and open D, the 3rd string is an open G). So when you hold down the 3rd fret on the B string, it'll give you another D note, if that string is open it's another B note, and then the 1st string is another G. So if you play the G chord holding down the B string 3rd fret, you'll end up having an extra D note, if that's open, you'll have an extra B note. Both ways only have the notes G, B and D, it doesn't matter how many of each you have as far as the name of the chord is concerned, they just sound slightly different. I hope that makes sense!

[@A10DoubleHelix]

So it's not necessarily wrong or improper chords? Ok good that was my main concern. Ohhhhh, ok ok I'm getting it. Any books that you know of that list all chords, all variants? I could also use a book on Chord charts for alternate tunings,

[@A10DoubleHelix]

Hey thanks for taking the time to answer my questions dude, I really appreciate it. It's not like the different books or chord charts tell you, LOL, they're just different because the authors were taught different.

[@gariG2]

Brilliant, thanks 👍🇬🇧

[@marka112]

So say theoretically I memorised all or the majority of the notes. What comes next? how do I play or know which note goes with what. How do I exactly use the notes I learned. :D

[@lakshya5572]

Thanks... It saved my life.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to hear it!

[@lakshya5572]

Sir You are the best .we are so happy with the humbleness u showed over time.

[@paulwdaniel7787]

Thanks bro. Great video

[@seandaniel23]

+Paul W Daniel Bro, thanks for watching, bro.

[@Mark-te2ny]

Ive always wanted to memorize the fretboard but had no idea where to start

[@seandaniel23]

You'll get it soon!

[@karthickraguraman410]

Your tutorials are amazing man. Keep em coming. And one more thing!! You have an accent..You add 'uh' at the end of many words. Wheres that from? just curious..

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much. It's not really accent, just something I've always done for whatever. It's kind of my signature thing at this point :)

[@karthickraguraman410]

+Sean Daniel Haha. Thats cool mate. you are going places. Great work (y)

[@ahmki52298]

Do you have any strumming tutorials? I feel likey biggest issue right now is consistent strumming.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Brilliant!

[@seandaniel23]

+WysteriaGuitar Thanks for watching!

[@easahaseeb]

The best one ever ! 🙌

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@budi.haryono]

go down to basic so you can jump higher to the top! thanks bro, it's really important to learn music from the basic theory :) you're cool!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Budi, Ill keep it up!

[@katietaptto4389]

I know 4ish chords... and that's about it...which of your videos should I start with to learn more stuff?

[@jerusalem4426]

Wow! Nice I love the amazing info bro,😁😎✌💓👪

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Yayan_Sundana]

Good job

[@arifsenri]

i never realized this before, ive already memories the first two string years agooo

[@seandaniel23]

+arif senri Good job man! Thanks for watching!

[@arifsenri]

+Sean Daniel keep posting videos man, I love your teaching :)

[@seandaniel23]

+arif senri Will do! Let me know if you ever have any questions.

[@smsy1756]

Thank you

[@jkrakauer805]

Nice

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@andrebamidele8497]

Thank you so much!

[@seandaniel23]

No problem!

[@josephhaile5515]

Thank, you this helps .

[@seandaniel23]

Glad to hear it!