Learn and memorize the notes on the guitar fretboard.

Memorize the notes on the guitar fretboard.
Learning the fretboard is key to improve your guitar skills, and this simple tool allows you to find all the notes on the fretboard.
If you are a beginner or an intermediate guitarist and want to expand your knowledge, then memorizing the fretboard will make it easy to learn chords and scales. If you use this method together with the "Circle of 5ths" it will provide a powerful memory recall technique.

[@jaghond2]

Holy shit, this is amazing. I play casually and was never invested in learning the fretboard. But this method eases you into it. I watched this video and moved on, like I do with so many guitar videos :D. and later in the day as I was playing decided to try it, I was shocked by how easy it was for me to find my way around the fretboard. Very well explained and put together sir!

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks friend. Glad it helped.

[@SteveHilliarphotography]

I have to say, this is fantastic, the audio quality and the articulation is stunning. Time for many to wake up and learn how to speak as well as play.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks Steve. What a lovely comment. Much appreciated.

[@turtlemcturtleson]

I just used this method, and I'm already faster at finding notes than any other method I've tried. This video is amazing, it has only the important things laid out, and the explanation was simple and to the point, so it's easy to understand, and it's explained by someone with a soothing, satisfying voice, which really just puts the cherry on top

[@tobyhallam4750]

Wow. Thank you so much for this lovely comment. I’m really glad it worked for you . Happy playing!

[@msid7748]

Yeah, a lot of other channels would've stretched this out into a 30 min video, starting with the history of music theory 😒

[@FlaschDJ]

EXCELLENT! Guitarists who read standard notation and spell chords (I do) and already know the circles will find this indispensable. Open strings are a BASE from which to know EADGBE; and that helps to find F,Bb,Eb,Ab,C,F (fret 1) and F#,B,E,A,C#,F# (fret 2). This visualization aid finds BASES all around the fretboard from which to find notes (such as D,G). This is beyond finding individual notes: it is also about finding “neighbor” notes (A,D,D,G) Also, EF and BC are very special pairs of notes. Consider a C scale on the piano: White notes are separated by black notes except in 2 cases: E to F and B to C. You might not believe me if you aren’t compelled (as I am) to name notes and to spell chords. This visualization method will enhance such learning.

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

i learned the notes on the fretboard by, 1st learning where all the A NOTES were on each string. then doing the same for the musical alphabet all the way to G. LEARNING- chords and scales helps to reinforce that knowledge of the fretboard. it just takes time and hard work, but one day you will be glad you did it , then it is not a mystery.

[@LUFFY-ge2jn]

After watching countless videos to learn fretboard, this video made me learn it so easily and the way you explain it is amaizing

[@douglashazelrigg4377]

In my quest to learn the fretboard, I've watched countless videos. This is the best one, not only because it makes it easy to remember visually, but also assists in constructing chords (assuming one already knows how to voice basic chords). Much appreciated!

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks Douglas. Much appreciated.

[@bghammock]

I always try to get at least one nugget of info out of these types of videos .. the BC EF box is it for me :) Never really thought of it as a connected box.

[@tobyhallam4750]

I'm glad it prompted a new way to look at it. Thanks for your comment Barry. Happy playing.

[@jimhouse9961]

WTF did I just stumble upon??? This is a GEM OF A VIDEO, and I watch ALL of the guitar videos. How do you not have 500,000 subs? Mind blown. Thank you.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks Jim. What a lovely comment.

[@NoDoSwLa]

I have to make this work for me in my personal way.... But I really like this technique. Thanks for sharing. Clear explanation, no bloating, great visualisation. Would appreciate more videos. Take care

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thank you friend. Enjoy playing.

[@vitryugun5371]

Of all mnemonic systems I got aquainted with over last two months, this one is the most brilliant. Single and easy to memorize pattern, which covers whole fretboard - this is nothing short of spectacular. Thank you!

[@dr.kennethnoisewater26]

This is the best memorization technique I’ve come across. Short and easy to understand. Thanks dude

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thank you Ken. You're very welcome my friend. Happy playing.

[@christophermball]

FYI, remembering what's in your "house" shape is actually quite a bit simpler if you know your circle of 5ths (which goes in a circle of 4ths the other direction). If you simply read the order of the notes in your shape from bottom to top, left to right, it reads BEADGCF, which is simply moving by 4ths along the circle. This is also the main order for jazz chord progressions such as the 2-5-1. Hope this helps people remember what's in the shape more easily.

[@Amatteus]

Better learn this way you mention because learning the circle of 4ths and 5ths it serves to many other things, like the order of flats, and sharps when building scales.

[@kristoffersmith8289]

😵‍💫

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

@@Amatteus Agreed. I had it up on my whiteboard and my buddy saw the circle and was like ‘wtf does that do?’….Within 10 mins he got it. Or at least understood how many hidden applications it actually has. Honestly once you nail your 1-4-5-8 (octave) across the fretboard, the rest starts to fall into place. Everyone seems to create their own shapes that make sense as foundations, wherein extensions are just around those basic shapes,

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

correct, this is nothing new. i do not know why people want to reinvent the WHEEL.

[@RitchieCollins]

As someone who is a beginner and struggling with note memory I found this to be an excellent training video, it deserves more hits.

[@XstrioX]

Very nice illustrations!! Clearly explained. thanks a lot!

[@jy2567]

This made alot more sense than similar videos trying to explain the note placement on the fretboard. Thanks for making the video!

[@andrewcurrie7544]

Been tryn unsuccessfully to mem notes. Im only a short while into scales, got penta, building in major. That 4 note cluster got me because I noticed its useful jamming, noone told me. I found it building into majors. I notine hes creating scales as he goes too. I think like this a lot. I know already this is gonna be good for me going on. What a treat. Many thanks.

[@geodude7116]

Wow I have watched a lot of guitar note memorization videos and this was definitely the most impressive to me.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thank you dude. Hope it helps.

[@SketchEtcher]

I was close to figuring out that pattern but the B string must’ve thrown me off. Thank you! This has got to be one of the most robust ways to think of the fretboard notes because it is universal.

[@amitsrivastava-zu3us]

Love and appreciate your teaching and learning techniques. Thanks a lot bro.❤️❤️

[@qwe.2739]

BRO I LITERALLY CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. THIS JUST MADE IT 100X EASIER TO MEMORIZE!!!

[@tobyhallam4750]

Glad it helped buddy.

[@MrMurphyum]

Very good! Also very nicely animated! Great editing! Overall great job mate! Thank you

[@rakeshchandan007]

this simplied learning so much,thank you

[@gregoryherson2095]

Great tips. Many thanks🎸👍

[@al7ex396]

Thank you this really helped me out a ton.

[@gavinvonmeyer3746]

I loved your graphics, especially the scale shapes, that actually Gonna be my reference photo of scale shapes on fretboard from now on, as its' easy on the eye. And I love Tetris, and this video makes the fretboard look like a game of blocks Tetris.

[@scorpionleader1967]

Great. Now I want to play Tetris.

[@neolahoodrat3157]

Brilliant, thanks

[@silverfunnel6819]

Interesting method!

[@avishkaindula1035]

Thanks a lot. Nice explanation!!

[@burttoast3569]

good idea! Great job! Thank you.

[@ray3mondo]

Excellent. Many thanks.

[@tetradodeca]

So helpful!

[@jefffritts68]

thats a pretty spectacular way of using the circle of fifths

[@theguitarnoobph]

Really interesting. Thank you!!!

[@totheleftrightla]

I love cognitive simplicity. That is a sure sign of the truth without any bullshit. Thanks, I'm always looking for common sense mnemonics.

[@ronsta]

Thank you, Toby.

[@tobyhallam4750]

You're most welcome. Hope it helps

[@Cheekeong2483]

Thank you for sharing buddy.

[@555atU]

Nice!

[@victorosunbunmi1179]

Thanks for the time

[@SixStringHarmonies]

Very nice pattern. This is one of those things you just have to work on. There are no shortcuts, but there are tricks like this to make it quicker. I played (poorly) for 26 years with minimal fretboard note knowledge. Learning the notes for certain opens up a whole new dynamic. It's honestly the biggest roadblock a lot of players may not even realize is there. Mainly because they see the task as "insurmountable" or impossible. Maybe even something that will just "happen" over time. Not the case IME.

[@i_am_groot3787]

amazing nice u r a genius

[@fattboyzz1355]

What ever method you use ,it will definitely change your playing forever to learn the neck ;)

[@kevon217]

Cool way to visualize.

[@esxdave]

Excellent, this is really going to help. Thanks

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thank you Dave. Its always useful to look at things from a different angle. Happy playing.

[@TOMTOM-nh3nl]

Thank You

[@EddyHabits]

Toby, the pattern you are talking about is simply the pattern of 4ths, which is how each string is tuned on a guitar, except between the G and A string, which is tuned by a 3rd. Maybe it would be good to add a note about this.

[@al7ex396]

Also another thing that would be useful for this is knowing the circle of fifths because this pattern is based entirely on it and the guitar tuning is based on it other than B and E which need to be half a step higher. And everything that happens with the 6th string happens the same with the 1st string unless in a drop tuning of course.

[@lioneldamm3551]

Best Video I have been watched

[@WahteverYouWant]

more guitar videos please

[@jameslabs1]

Nice. Thanks

[@danbromberg]

Hey Toby: Nice graphics to emphasize your points. I remember BEAD (I wore them back in my hippie days) + GCF(=Greatest Common Factor, being a math guy) with variations of your 2 rules: (1) crossing over to the B string shifts 1 fret to the right and (2) whenever an F occurs that means the ...GCF has finished and we're about to start a BEAD...so also shift 1 fret to the right. Note that if the F finishes on a G string then the B note immediately following it will move 2 frets to the right (per my 2 aforementioned rules). Now that we're all confused by what I just said, your way will make more sense to your followers! 🙂

[@oswaldgeorge2048]

Love rhis!

[@marknthetrails7627]

thanks

[@mariacallas9962]

I’ll always look at the bright size of the fretboard,thks.

[@Nicolae8607]

Subscribed..thank for this video

[@colink4823]

Really good video

[@sepetisionelatu5539]

Nice! Actually yesterday l did an excel of the fretboard but not in normal way of doin it. I basically mirror the fretboard as if it is reflecting in mirror because to me its hard to visualize and put the fretboard in my head when everthing is upside down lol. After l did the excel l see that pattern much clear amd today lm watching your video and you're talking bout this pattern. Thank you.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Great. Glad it helped.

[@tn7198]

It would be great to show an example of how this is used. Do you only use to find a note (like looking for different instances of an F# around the fretboard), or do you use it to find a key (like, hey this is in the key of Eb--and the jam begins), or something different? I love the concept and I want to use it to unlock more secrets :)

[@thanhluong8297]

This is the best one ! Thank you very much and I LOVE YOUR INSTRUCTION..

[@xiaomanchen380]

salute！！！！

[@markswarts9060]

Thanks Sir

[@tobyhallam4750]

You're welcome Mark

[@atakobcychzplanetyx]

Mind-blowingly simple! Thanks for opening our eyes. Btw, you missed EFBC in the 1:40 starting from open strings :D

[@mi2cents265]

Luv the animations and your explanation. Initially I thought, this guy did it: discovered my trick. But unfortunately you when astray! Try again! Hint: simplify!

[@l.a.covers8400]

More lessons please

[@robertbrawley5048]

Yes it helps out s lot. A novel observation compared to serial other channel take on memorizing the fret board. The over two string up 3 frets technique require constant examination of the fretboard . I find that two awkward . I was developing my own memory system based on the precieved note letter names across the fret from thick string to thinnest string . You have mapped out that same concept with the "L" shaped doodads as you stack one L against the other spaning the fret and continuing into outer space. The out of space proportion should take up on the thick string side ignoring the note on the low "e" string . I think that is the way it goes

[@ladiesman1729]

Wow its so cool bro...

[@ladiesman1729]

Show me more like this

[@mdonchek]

I learned something similar. Maybe I think my way is simpler because it's what I know, but simply I remember BEADGCF pronounced bead-guh-kiff. You can use your pneumonic instead but I say bead guh kiff for BEADGCF. Notes from low E string to high E always spell BEADGCF (shifting up on the 2 highest strings like you explained). If you start on fret 5, or A on the low E string, just spell BEADGCF starting from A . . . ADGCF. Also those are the notes in order of the circle of fourths. You're moving in 4ths when you go from b to e to a, etc, you're learning the fretboard, and all you need to remember is BEADGCF from the low to high strings.

[@bibbibob]

Omg thnx!!

[@perfectmusicempire]

You deserve more subs ☹. Really interesting.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks Friend. I wasn't really in it for the subs. But I am quite staggered at the viewing hit rate. Its obviously getting picked up by the KZbin algorithm :-) Thanks for watching

[@ChaostotheVII]

All of that tetris i played on the og gameboy payed off

[@gustavochiozza6465]

It sounds interesting. I will give a try. I thought maybe you can think the rule different. When you touch the B string, every note becames a flat note ( like the b of bemol). But it is just an idea. Thanks for sharing. I’l let you know if it goes for me.

[@congamike1]

The pic at 1:07 is extremely helpful. I'm sure the rest of the video is good too. Yep. good stuff. Thanks

[@Johnny_Doe]

That is basically CAGED. All 5 shapes of the pentatonic scale. Except for the example he started on what is considered Shape 1 which is the “G” pattern in Green. The next shape is “E” in Blue, “D” in Purple, “C” in Red, and “A” in Yellow.

[@congamike1]

Oh! I forgot about this. Thanks for reminding me @@Johnny_Doe

[@DeusNosSalvet]

isnt it alot easier to just understand the order of 4ths and 5ths and how the guitar is tuned to them? shift one semitone at the end of the order + shift one semitone crossing the G-B strings to compensate for the M3 kink in the tuning. this works out to BEADGCF (b's & 4ths) and FCGDAEB (#'s & 5ths). an easy mnemonic to remember is battle ends and down goes charles father. Just a little more theory and a little less remembering shapes I think makes this much much easier.

[@christophermoody6840]

BEADGCF is also the circle of 4ths 🤯

[@JAB-bc9uv]

By the time you remember this the set is over.....

[@tobyhallam4750]

If you're still learning the notes in your set, you probably shouldn't be on stage.

[@oldmanandthesea7039]

Thanks for telling us the Shape AND the rule. But you didn’t explain why. At First look, this rule seems a bit mysterious, but a little thinking would make it quite obvious. Look at the open notes of six strings E-A-D-G-B-E, the distance between two strings is two and half whole notes except that between G and B, which is only two whole note. On the other word , had the B string been tuned to C, then there would be no need to shift to the right one fret. This “mysterious shift” is due to this particular tuning of the 🎸 ! I think this might satisfy some audiences’s curiosity.

[@victoriajohnnyrodriguez1369]

God gave you your creative imagination!

[@l.a.covers8400]

What lessons do you have in mind for the next vids?

[@tobyhallam4750]

Hahaha, I really haven't thought about that. I just wanted to share a technique to help others. It wont be teaching people "how" to play guitar, but I can help to illustrate complex theory stuff in a much more easy way. Thanks for your interest friend.

[@l.a.covers8400]

@@tobyhallam4750 thats sad. You seem to have a gift for teaching. Anyway. If you ever change your mind. Im subbed already. So ill be on it quick

[@iansmith3261]

Im only :42 in and im blown away already just buy the fret board diagram. A huge castle like door just blew wide open in my head. gonna be hard in what you say to top this diagram...Update: i was right, i understood, but didn't. Might have if you gave some fingering shots (pause)...

[@redpillpusher]

I prefer Before Con ;)

[@256shadesofgrey]

Nice trick, but at that point I may as well just count where a note is from the open string or 12th fret.

[@skintslots]

I found this overly complicated. I do use the 2 along and 2 down for 5th and 6th strings and 3 along and 2 down for 4th and 5th strings but the trick for the 1st and 2nd string is to simply use the open C shape to find those octaves.

[@michaelcox6597]

Why reinvent the wheel, go learn the circle of fifths and map that onto your fretboard, 😎

[@michaelcameron2292]

It's the circle of fourths or fifths I find this complicated but hey ho If it helps it helps not for everyone though

[@vladtheinhaler146]

Like a great pirate once said... there BE no sharps...

[@FlaschDJ]

Nice video: Why not say “BEADG are in the Circle of 4th”? Perhaps because those who know the circle needn’t be told. And those who don’t know it will run away (the “Theory” terror).

[@jeffarcher400]

BEADGCF is the circle of fifths. Hmmm.

[@danreid6712]

Sounds like a Geico commercial....

[@sullycliftona]

Toshiba

[@tobyhallam4750]

what does that mean ?

[@FortunaZKat]

If you read your box from bottom to top, column 1 then 2 you get "BEAD" G, C, F (how I like to remember it). Or the circle of 4th's (circle of 5th's counter clockwise) starting on "B". Whatever note you end on the 1st string you can begin again with it on the 6th string, same fret and continue the pattern. When you get to the "F" note just shift 1 fret right (toward the bridge) when going to the next string (2 if landing on the "B" string) and continue with B, E, A, D, G, C, F. If you know your circle of 5th's (4th's) then you can go up and down the entire fret board (flats and sharps included) just by going around the circle until you run out of fret board. Circle of 5th's ,1st to 6th string shifting toward the nut (flats), circle of 4th's 6th to 1st string shifting toward the bridge (sharps). If you do this, you not only learn the notes but the circle of 5th's which is important to know. The whole fret board's nothing but repeating patterns whether it's the circle of 5th's (4th's) going across it or the notes in order going down any string. Look at it on an angle. B,F,B,F then that 1 fret shift, B,F. Nothing but repeating patterns.

[@tobyhallam4750]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this extra knowledge.

[@erico658]

Confusing

[@ShortFuseFighting]

im sorry but...although i appreciate people trying to find cheats and tricks to make this extremely tedious task less frustrating....i gotta say, its all needlessly complicated. just learn a row per day (sharps and flats included). in 12 days you'll be done, you'll know it forever and you will navigate much easier and faster (without having to rely on landmark notes in order to find the one you need)

[@TheNewenglandboys]

So this is at least interesting but I find it rather useless in playing a riff. I mean to say that, although the BC and EF positions are beside each other, exactly what use is that knowledge? No critisim intended but rather what's the point?

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thanks for the comment, but it's not meant for learning riffs, that would be an entirely different video. The position of the notes in the 'L' shape isn't meant to provide any "knowledge" about 'how' to play the guitar. Its simply a way to group all 7 notes in an 'easy-to-remember' package while learning the fretboard.

[@danbromberg]

I appreciated the patterns but this is too time-consuming to be of actual practical use while jamming

[@tobyhallam4750]

Thank you Dan. It’s not meant to be an ‘on-the-fly’ tool. It’s simply another way to help find notes while learning the FB. Thanks for watching.

[@57RickH]

I sorta feel the same way but maybe I just need to watch the video a few times until it sinks in 🎸

[@markd5067]

Uh....NO! Dammit! Can't anyone make this shit less difficult!?

[@7riXter]

Exactly what I thought 😂 - just memorize a chimney shape - put it on the fretboard overlapping the edges - add one when using B or high E string - calculate the cross product of the vectors orthographic to the strings - try to resolve the Middle East conflict Memorizing chords or parts of a scale using shapes is totally fine but if you think you need to name single notes… just learn it by heart. Take one string for a week, move your hands across the frets eyes closed, stop and plug the string, figure out the note (perhaps by using keys or by using relative pitch to also train your ear) and repeat for 10 minutes per day. After up to two months you should be fluent in fretboardish.

[@hermitcrypto2787]

This is why i never learned guitar theory properly, it’s too confusing.

[@robertsparks7244]

Not really

[@ILLRICARDO]

More confused than before..m 😔

[@littlethuggie]

If you know basic chords, the fretboard isn't hard lol. The things people will go through when it's easier to just learn the shit once and be done

[@apostle7772]

Jesus christ is coming repent choose him today he loves you . .

[@tobyhallam4750]

. I’ll make some coffee if he shows up.

[@57RickH]

@@tobyhallam4750 BC could also stand for “Before Covid” 😆

[@tobyhallam4750]

@@57RickH That's hilarious 🤣

[@TheNewenglandboys]

BUT.....Will he teach Guitar?

[@whatabouttheearth]

Of all the millions of religions and ideologies in the world there is generally only one section of one religion that you see interjecting their propaganda into everything including unrelated comment sections. And than they act persecuted when everyone is annoyed by them.