How I Practice Right Now for Perfecting Technique & Fretboard Visualization

[@JonBjork]

🎸The perfect daily routine for fast pentatonic picking: jonbjork.teachable.com/p/my-downloadable-516690

[@ScotianBlooded]

After playing for 20 years I have decided to finally practice... thank you for your knowledge

[@JonBjork]

Great decision😁

[@CakedNinja]

Thanks Jon. Adding this to my routine 🤘

[@shaharbar]

Hey welcome back shredmaster!

[@JonBjork]

Thanks!

[@andrewdennis0]

Missed you Jon. Glad to see another video from you

[@JonBjork]

Thank you!

[@anderssvard4117]

Härligt med en ny video!

[@JonBjork]

😊

[@wesleytrott6397]

Jon! I have issues when I do full bends on the B string with my 3rd finger. When I release the bend, the tip of my 3rd finger touches and kind of rubs the G string just enough to make it start ringing ever so slightly. I've attempted to resolve this with right hand (picking hand) muting. I also looked at possible way to use left hand muting, but that doesn't seem very ergonomic or consistently effective. I know there has to be some muting technique that could fix this, but I've hit a wall with this. Do you have any tips on how to clean this up?

[@JonBjork]

Hi Wes! I have a lesson on this very thing, the video should start right at the part where I explain the left hand position: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4jCgIqhnr6Nas0 I'd suggest watching the whole video and also incorporating the exercise into your schedule for a few weeks and I promise you'll see a huge improvement in your control. Hope this helps!

[@ScottyBrockway]

WB Jon, was missing your videos. I have Aphantasia, do you have any suggestions for memorizing things when you can't picture them in your mind?

[@JonBjork]

Hi Scotty! I haven’t encountered that in my teaching yet but here’s AI to the rescue: Memorizing scale patterns on guitar with aphantasia can be approached effectively by focusing on tactile and kinesthetic learning methods, as well as auditory memory. Here are some strategies that could help: 1. Muscle Memory Through Repetition • Repeated physical practice on the guitar can help build muscle memory, which doesn’t rely on visual memory. Spend focused time playing scales on the fretboard, aiming to build a tactile sense of the shapes and patterns your fingers create. • Try working in short, repetitive loops, like playing through each position on a single string or across strings in small groups. Over time, this approach can help you develop an instinct for the patterns. 2. Auditory Memory and Recognition • Engage your ear to recognize the sound of each scale pattern and interval. Play each scale shape while paying attention to the sound and relationship of notes, aiming to connect the patterns to their sonic qualities rather than a visual layout. • Practice singing along with each scale or shape you’re playing. Even if you’re not a singer, this can strengthen your understanding of the scale’s intervals and help internalize the sound. 3. Pattern and Fretboard Mapping • Instead of relying on mental images, create a logical framework for the fretboard. For example, use anchor notes (like root notes) and specific intervals to orient yourself. • Think of each scale pattern as a series of “moves” or positions. You could, for instance, focus on small, memorable chunks (e.g., “up two frets, down a string”) to create a step-by-step roadmap for each pattern without needing to visualize it. 4. Physical Markers and Visual Cues on the Fretboard • Use the physical markers on the fretboard (dots or inlays) as reference points to help you remember where key notes lie within each scale pattern. • Try to relate patterns to these markers, associating the position of specific notes (like the root) with dots or inlays. Over time, you can build associations between the tactile positions of the patterns and the inlays without needing visualization. 5. Practice Scales in Different Keys and Contexts • Practicing the same scale shapes in different positions on the fretboard (and in different keys) will help you solidify your understanding by relying on your sense of feel and spatial awareness, not visual memory. • Applying scale patterns within songs or improvisations can also help reinforce the scale shapes by linking them to musical ideas rather than isolated patterns. Combining these methods can build a deep familiarity with scales without requiring visual mental images, relying instead on touch, sound, logical patterning, and spatial recognition.

[@ScottyBrockway]

@@JonBjork Thanks, I sort of already use the auditory and visual way. I'll see if the tactile and interval methods help.

[@JonBjork]

I'm a huge believer in knowing what you're actually doing in a functional intervallic way (as in seeing the 1/root note and the other intervals around it) since it'll guide your ear and also make sense out of the fretboard.