The Guitar Fretboard Rosetta Stone - Weekly Guitar Class

[@androgynastronaut]

Every guitarist should start off with THIS lesson.

[@JohnnyBoy_67]

Ricky I must say most everyone here Sir would agree, you are the Einstein of guitar! Thank you. Again you have not only unlocked the fret board but thankfully gave me that puzzle piece I needed on my path. After hundreds of videos and great teachers, Thank you. I learned the board the way you explained it. I first learned the board by modes which I convert to seven feelings using those patterns and notes from this little yellow handbook I wish I still had. Then I went on “like this comment” to the world of blues and minors. And exactly with the kings and knights and the creations of the guitar. You are a God Sir. Thank you.

[@scubatrooper9895]

Perhaps I’m missing something with the comments during the video… They may be spot on with the flavor of mnemonic… I saw the pattern and an easier way of understanding the fretboard. Ricky, you’re a fantastic teacher and that’s a true gift. As a child, I fought through Dyslexia like a wizard fights a dragon. As an adult, I remained cognizant of this and was rigorously patient when teaching children karate or as an instructor in the military or working with young adults. Conveying information to others takes a creative and bold mind. Sometimes it takes more than reciting definitions (like a robot)or demanding a reaction after introducing someone to new material. A “Dynamic Leader or Teacher” must possess the skill set to inspire others. You definetly have this gift… Kudos from across the pond!

[@tjmakerextraordinaire]

Yes …. It is very hard to find teachers that can change or alter his method to accommodate different minds … my husband for example, will tell me instructions, but refuses to consider my queries; probably because he’s a very busy man. He thinks brilliantly but in a linear fashion. I’ve had teachers in school (long ago!) that have their explanations or demonstrations firmly entrenched, and prefer not to quibble with the student’s lack of understanding! I love you Ricky Comisky! You are a “true” Teaching Master! Thank you so so so much !

[@BillyReed68]

When I was in middle school (grades 6 - 8) I took music classes. My music teacher didn't teach us this. I had a few tutors and even took private lessons. NONE of my teachers taught me this. This is so simple to understand. Now in my mid-fifties thinking of all that wasted time when I could have been reading and writing music instead of being relinquished to the rhythm section playing tablature. I look back and all I can think is how stupid my teachers were. How does that happen? How do we end up with the bottom of the barrel when we should have the best at what they do teaching. My father use too say, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." Not true, as you have plainly demonstrated, but I'm just sayin', WTF?

[@scottchilds5726]

Me too, I was taught fat cat gets drunk at Eddie's bar. In 5ths. I'm learning alot now. Rock on my friend.

[@OldGuy2-m4c]

The reason was well known in the 60s and 70s... those can't... because everyone with a college degree could teach for applying at k-12. Usually, they ended up teachers because they could not qualify in college for other demanding disciplines. It really is ironic that our teachers are usually the best or bightest.

[@redgegraves8749]

Thank you Ricky. This is very generous of you.

[@mikehill666]

That will be called an anagram the way the letters are the same front and back. Love the lessons. Thank you so much.

[@perhakongustavsen9884]

Merry Christmas. You are the best guitar teacher on KZbin.

[@rickysguitar]

Thank you *blushes. Have a wonderful Christmas!

[@michaelprenez-isbell8672]

you transformed my understanding of the fretboard (electric uke in my case) with this fantastic video. thank you so much. thank you so so much.

[@Grumpyoldman60]

Where the lolly have yo been all my life! I've been stumbling and bumbling on guitar for 61 years, (started at 12 years old) and in the last 40 minutes I've learned more about music and history than I did in the two years I was playing in a garage band. I'm ordering your book today and subscribing to your channel for every lesson. I'd hug you if we weren't an ocean apart. Your a genius of a nutter!

[@Mike-rw2nh]

Uploads such as this gem, beat any review of overdrives that have been sprinkled with Germanium fairy dust. Thank you.

[@john749]

Thank you for the really nice lesson! So much information packed in.

[@Martin-lj2hs]

You’re the best guitar teacher I’ve come across !

[@Ben_EH-Heyeh]

That was the best mind map of the fretboard I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@karabinerstudios]

Semordnilap: A word, phrase, or sentence that has the property of forming another word. If you look carefully at the word semordnilap, you might notice that it’s palindromes spelled backward. While a palindrome is a word or phrase that reads the same in both directions, a semordnilap is one that spells a different word or phrase in reverse.

[@rickysguitar]

This is the best description so far.

[@Not-a-GSD]

@@rickysguitar Actually the word you are looking for is mnemonic.

[@adamlegion13]

!yo banana boy!

[@aajees1887]

Excellent!! ❤❤❤

[@createlovehappy]

Happy Christmas Ricky. Love what you do here. thank you. I don't even have a guitar, and I'm following along drawing guitar necks and filling in the notes and nashville numbers and roman numbers. I think drawing it with my own hand makes it stay in my brain more than just seeing it.

[@gu9008]

Got up early thinking this through watched again put it on guitar and realised penny dropped with what I already have learned from you with triads this lesson is gold gold gold 🥇

[@TheVitalEdge]

Oh man, Ricky! So much important useful information in a manner that explains guitar geography and music theory! Deep stuff but I can sequence the logic and knowledge and pull it out as I reach each level of comprehension. THEN, I got to get it into my fingers. But this video explains so much, contains so much. (How do you eat an elephant?) I will be re-visiting this video and of course I've got your book, good to see on a page and also good to watch you develop the ideas. I appreciate your time and talent not only on guitar but also in teaching. Brilliant!

[@darrylsmith5943]

Hi Ricky - I have watched thousands of videos and I have to say you are the first to truely unlock the fret board for me - I just watched your videos and I find it absolutely amazing how this works and I could never understand and how the scales fit with the major chords and finally now I do - thank you - I’ve been playing for about 30 years now and this is the first time anyone made it make sense. I’ll be purchasing your book - again thank you

[@yannchrorm4942]

thank you for the lesson. really understandable

[@mwilson70201]

I have learned in more in the last 5 minutes than the past 50 years trying to teach myself.

[@grummbunger]

that shouldn't be....

[@jamesb4760]

Thanks for the video Rick

[@karabinerstudios]

From the Oxford English Dictionary. Palindrome: A word or a sequence of words that reads, letter for letter, the same backwards as forwards.

[@akinkent7283]

Wow you just explained the modes After 5 years l beginning to understand the guitar and the modes made simple Thanks again Ricky. Love your channel l always learn something when l watch your videos. Oh yes l have purchased your book xx great work mo bullshit like other teachers on the net. Thank Ricky

[@kentsimmons4343]

Oh it’s “Battle Ends..”I always heard it as “Bottle, Ends And Down Goes Charles’s Father” 😂 I pictured a late night in a latern lit pub in Scotland era.

[@dannyman12]

"palindrome" is a word or phrase spelled the same forward as backwards. Great video!!!

[@GuitarJams-zs7yf]

I been reading the book " Advanced modern rock guitar improvisation" by Jon Finn. I have not finished but what I read explains the fretboard in a way I can understand it in a totally different way.

[@1Samuel1524]

You just closed so many gaps that so many teachers couldn't. Thank you.

[@threeshocks5769]

Thank you for sharing this. Your teaching style is like a familiar friend. I've never been more interested in music theory , it's like you just turned a light on for me. Thanks

[@petkucius]

Funnily enough, I finish watching this right before the 3pm (uk) games start. Thanks a lot for the great lessons, I will also have to re-watch and start writing like you do so I can improve my knowledge. Happy holidays, Rick.

[@HigherPlanes]

The first scale I ever learned on guitar was the C major scale starting on the lower E...and it wasn't until like 15 years later that I realized I was also playing in E Phrygian. Guitar is a heck of an instrument.

[@jmgmetal]

and the F Lydian…and G mixolydian, and the B locrian..and the A minor, and the D Dorian….🤣. Once you learn C major inside and out you know all the modes haha. I remember when it clicked for me too

[@HigherPlanes]

@@jmgmetal And we're still learning and barely scratched the surface. At least we can say that it'll never get dull.

[@aleonyohan6745]

LOL I would play the B minor scale over E Blues. I had no idea why it worked until I learned I was playing E Dorian mode. Now I know all my modes inside and out. Except for Locrian lol

[@jmgmetal]

@@aleonyohan6745 I never figured out how to make locrian sound right 🤣 One day, if I ever figure it out I’m gonna gimmick the hell out of it and be a innovative musical gazillionaire lmao

[@worshipfulchords]

Super, looks like the BEAD Method of Fretboard Mastery... which I wrote in 2007. You add some fresh concepts that I'm going to ponder.

[@rickysguitar]

Eyup Bob! It's all there waiting to be discovered. Our job is to share our findings with those that need it. I shall check out your book. Thanks for watching :)

[@worshipfulchords]

@@rickysguitar Always up for fresh insights! Great video!

[@jontaylor3220]

Great video, thank you. Did you know Robert Mugabe's surname spelt backwards spells something completely different? E-BA-GUM

[@rickysguitar]

Now then Jon!

[@kevinhughes1355]

the word u were looking for was mnemonic. i find the keys with sharps is easy to remember by the phrase " cows go drink at ed"s bar" eg: C{no sharps or flats) G: 1sharp, D; 2 sharps, A; 3 sharps etc, The mnemonic for the order of keys with flats is " Fat boys eat all day green corn" eg; F (1flat) Bb (2flats) Eb (3flats) etc. A Palindrome is a word spelled the same forwards or backwards, examp;e a phrase like " a man a plan a canal panama"

[@jtbutlerjr]

Brilliant explanations! Thanks for sharing your theory teacher’s take on the modes, and accidentals. I’m positive they are going to be useful. You are consistently clear and easily understandable.

[@danilojoaquino]

❤

[@mikehill666]

Thank you so much I have never seen the board like this 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸💫

[@tinacoffey6935]

Me having to rewind the video for the class because im still spelling racecar forward and backwards. 😂 Ricky, you sir are an amazing teacher. Thank you for all you do to put these classes together. Learning so much!

[@jesseskander]

This is by far the single greatest guitar lesson I have ever seen! Ricky is such an incredible teacher. I can’t believe how much info is packed in this single hour, but also explained in a way that is 100% digestible and practical.

[@gu9008]

Merry Christmas Ricky thank you for this gold dust my present to you is doing the work to get better iV already bought the book can't wait for you next one see you in the new year can't wait for more lessons.❤

[@rickysguitar]

Thank you for supporting my work! Glad you enjoyed the video. I can’t wait to get the new book out as well! Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄

[@kentscherm2213]

BAM! Smacked in the face with logic. Thank you Ricky! New subscriber here.

[@jasonmartin6820]

Thanks and merry christmas, your book and videos are helping me with this journey of learning to play.

[@rickysguitar]

Eyup Jason! Stoked to read that buddy! Keep at it! Guitar is the best!

[@otisford1848]

Each mode can be played in every position on the neck because they have the same notes just in different order right

[@rickysguitar]

Absolutely spot on!

[@garyrochussen3430]

You, sir, are quite brilliant!!! Thank you very much.

[@billtravis523]

Laughing at my own sheer ignorance. At 06:50 my head exploded when roman numerals were connected with letters. Huh? While I'm literate with roman numerals and also comprehend the names of the strings, I'll have to do some delving today to recognize their connection. Glad for the rewind feature on these vids and for Ricky's FREE and intensive tutelage. [When I was taking flying lessons at the turn of the century, these unforeseen speedbumps in the learning process would've been costing $89/hour. Bank the plane at a 45 degree angle, increase throttle and pull back on the yoke to make up for lost lift in order to maintain the correct altitude, watch the Turn Coordinator bubble on the dashboard to manipulate the rudder pedals with my feet at the same time so the plane isn't skidding through the turn, keep an eye on the bank indicator so the turn isn't too steep nor too shallow, watch the compass to ease out of the turn onto the new heading...] Ricky teaches us all this guitar stuff for nothing! (After payday, I'm going to buy his book.) This 10 AM lesson on a weekday morning is EXACTLY why I recently bought an arcane monstrosity called a guitar after living a lifetime without sensing any need for one. It's so enigmatic that it keeps me both interested and puzzled on a daily basis. Sometimes I only want to have Marty Guitar teach me a familiar riff. Some days, I want Ricky to teach me fretboard theory so I can "think" in these notes/frets/strings as I learn this language. While my fingers and brain put up fierce resistance, these insights are so valuable to both my guitar and life journeys. Good on ya, Ricky!

[@Saluritribe]

Merry Christmas Ricky and Family 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@davidreally2639]

Awesome ! Took me a few views but I got it. Thanks for the GOLD :) !

[@ashleysmith3106]

mnemonics...........the study and development of systems for improving and assisting the memory. A device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something, for example Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain for the colours of the spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).

[@andivelorezwhite]

Not sure if anyone has said this yet, but the word you are looking for is a semordnilap. It’s a word or phrase that makes sense forwards and backwards but has a different meaning. Hilariously it is the word palindromes backwards.

[@DoubleSixx]

A mnemonic device is a memory trick that helps a student memorize something. Some examples of mnemonic devices include: Songs and rhymes Songs and rhymes are effective mnemonic devices for both children and adults. For example, children can memorize the alphabet by reciting it to a simple rhyming tune.

[@davidstokes4630]

Definitely a mnemonic!

[@tomghzel]

The manual the first guitar builder never gave.

[@Dgnine]

Hi Ricky, first of all thanks a lot for taking the time to show this approach. Very helpful! Just discovered your channel. I have a question that I hope will unlock my fretboard view. When you look at your whole fretboard, then do you see just it as a C key organized way and modes with their associated numbers for that C key? I understand the importance to connect the numbers but I want to know on a practical level what is the first thing you see when you look at the fretboard to get those anchors. This will help me move forward. Thanks a lot! And also what do you make of everything when its the key of A let say. You just apply it the same as C but on a different level? Thats the thing that confuses me is when we have to change keys and it becomes a new puzzle...

[@stevevaughn2040]

I used, for order of sharps my salute to Smoke on the Water. Funky Claud Grabs Dancers Asses Especially Blonds.

[@ericdowell818]

Is this course for anyone or is it more directed to people who are already playing guitar?

[@pederdavisson9124]

This is very helpful BTW, (And I’m saying that as a Berklee Alum, they never gave us any angles like those you are giving. It was just, “welcome to the deep end of the pool, oh you need to learn how to swim for these classes.” So I’m very serious-and thankful now to finally really learn how to swim.)

[@rickysguitar]

My experience in college as a student (as a self taught guitarist at that point with no experience at reading the dots) I had to double think everything on the program syllabus and "sink or swim" like you mentioned. This was extremely difficult for a great many of the other self taught students in my class, as formal music education is 90% pianocentric. In a way that helped me develop a more rudimentary way of understanding music theory in terms anyone could understand so that I could apply it immediately to guitar. In the end I found singing in the college choir to be the best way to start sight reading, and a few basic piano classes helped to bridge the information. It's crazy a formal educational establishment would accept students who didn't have any idea of the route the pedagogy would take. I really think without my absolute obsession to make guitar my life I would have dropped out of college. That's partly why I set up my music school over 18 years ago. To decipher the stolid, staid methods of transferring workable music theory concepts to the guitar. Thank goodness for KZbin!

[@patrickgeraghty152]

Merry Christmas Rickey and we will see you all participants in the new year.

[@demonboost932]

Great lesson Ricky, I have one question if you have time. Are the shapes and patterns you showed only applicable for the Key of C, or can you use them for all keys and just move the position of the shapes and patterns on the fret board according to key you want to play in?

[@waynestock2006]

Ricky, have you thought about designing a training guitar neck? You could lay out your grid patterns on the neck so starters have a reference point instead of counting up and down the fretboard.

[@fredtyler4940]

Hello from Sunnny South Africa

[@homesculptor]

Finally. Been looking for this logical process.

[@mohanakrishnank.arjunan5568]

I'm interested in getting your book. Will i be able to learn to play the guitar. I'm a beginner. kindly advice.

[@crimsonhawk4912]

12:35 OMG.... I've unlocked every scale in my head now......

[@tommythomas7944]

Hey man. If you had a book for leftyz i would buy 10

[@estherappiah7343]

This is great. I love it .Ricky, thanks a lot for this explanation 😅

[@willrobertson7832]

THANK YOU SO MUCH #RICKYCOMISKEY!!! You have Re-instilled my PASSION for Music & Playing it!!!!!! Im just giving credit where credit is deserved! Youre a Phenomenal Teacher & I have learned more in a day about guitar from you than i have in the past decade. I have been playing guitar for many years, self taught.. I knew I needed to learn a ton more to get to where i wanted to be. I tried watching videos from internet but nothing was interesting or caught my attention and honestly just left me feeling overwhelmed!!! (and we all know where feeling overwhelmed leads us. It makes us not want to learn anymore and shoving that beautiful guitar back to that same Dusty corner!!! But you Sir, have Captured my Attention and the way You teach your program has me not only LEARNING and ABSORBING the information but you have my attention with all kinds of learning material Honestly, no doubt, i shouldve learned all of this years ago. But Just like so many of us wanting to learn guitar, I didnt know what to learn & where to start Keep up the Great Work my friend!!!

[@rickysguitar]

Eyup Will! Thanks for your kind words and good to see you at my livestream last night too.

[@philostreet781]

BEADGCF (Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’s Father) FCGDAEB (Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle) 13:24

[@donmaldicion]

Great video! This channel is so underrated. Every beginner guitar player should check this channel out. You're a great teacher Ricky, thank you.

[@Tokechan]

The term you're looking for for the down goes father charles bit is just a Mnemonic, maybe a mnemonic acronym if you want to get a little more specific (EDIT: actually that'd be more like ROYGBIV, turning letters into words is theopposite, an Acrostic Mnemonic). Personally, since BEAD is already a word and easy to memorize I just remember BEAD Go Catch Fish. :p it doesn't work as well in reverse for the sharps as Fish Catch Go DAEB, but the order of flats is so instantly memorizable this way that the trade-off is worth it for me. :p

[@Tokechan]

Oh snap didn't realize this was a live stream originally and someone answered in the video…

[@jdmayfield88]

You can do this with chords too... chart all the notes for any chord, you can find a lot of ways to play that chord.

[@greghoward1561]

That's an acrostic palindrome.

[@davidwilliams9456]

I think the word you are online for is, “mnemonic device”.

[@Busk_N_Groove]

So, Keef has had it right all these years…

[@plasmaquark]

Another great lesson by the greatest teacher of music in the Universe.

[@scottanderson4175]

I can simplify it for you 😐 after every a is a b after every b is a c and so on 💪

[@davecooper5951]

Hi Ricky, the Forwards Backwards thing (in English) is called a "Palindrome" - Racecar, Radar etc....Great lessons by the way !

[@claytarpley4250]

HOLY SMOKES!!! Mr. Comiskey, this one video has unlocked my brain!!! I have been trying to understand the fret board for an embarrassingly amount of time and now I get it! Thank you!

[@jazztherapydivine]

Hi Ricky comisky , this is very nice lesson , can you give me the book title?

[@robinsonmitchell9995]

A sentence that explains a series of letters is called an "acrostic mnemonic".

[@lesliecumberland834]

Hello Ricky Just getting into your great lessons I have bought a book on internet Hope I bought the correct one to get going At the moment I am waiting to have my eyes operated on for cataract removal so I am struggling to read very well watching this lesson wearing shades ha ha . Like your Yamaha makes a change from teachers with Fenders Ibanezs etc PRS

[@rickysguitar]

Eyup Leslie! Thanks for buying my book and I hope your eye operation goes well. Love my Yamaha guitars! Ricky

[@lukather1]

Are modes not really determined by the underlying chord and not a shape ?

[@rickysguitar]

By the underlying scales and chord. It just so happens in C Major the 3 patterns in the lesson spell the modes.

[@rbebut1]

Also something to think about when it comes to modes. Is that there is a relative major associated with it. Take for example the phrygian mode the relative major is E major in the key of C major. Additional reference. Along with the other modes. in the key of C Dorian - d e F G a b(dim) C d if you sharp the F and C you get the D major scale. Phrygian - e F G A b(dim) C d e if you sharp the F, G, C and D you get the E major scale. Lydian - G a b(dim) C d e F G if you sharp the F the relative major is G major Scale mixolydian - a b C D e F G a b(dim) no sharps or flats a natural minor scale and the relative major scale is C major Locriandim) - b(dim) C D e F G a b(dim) the relative majoin scale is B major. There are only 7 scale patterns for these,,

[@Cephlin]

Wow, this is like nothing else! I've learnt so much from this video compared to any other video I've ever watched. And I've been playing guitar for over 20 years...

[@jimball4901]

Mnemonic device would be what you’re talking about in the 1st 15 minutes where you’re creating an acronym to help memorize something.

[@rkoz55]

How about looking at it this way. Everybody starts with learning power chords. The fret board is setup for power chords all over the fret board, taking into account for the B string +1 stretch. Once you learn all the notes on the fret board, then finding all the proper triads comes easier.

[@shilohpatten3761]

It’s an Entendre-Pneumonic Palindrome.

[@cruzerbandit655]

Lesson ..what amazing teaching sir.. U made circle of fifths and entire modal theory so simple and so the fretboard too. Thank u

[@martynspooner5822]

Is this 6251473 a chord progression so in key of C would be Amin D min G maj or G7 C F B dim Emin or am I just lost?

[@rickysguitar]

6251473 is indeed a chord progression. Look up “perfect day” by Lou Reed. (Change the em to an E - you’re essentially modulating to harmonic minor for that sound) am dm G C F bdim E

[@martynspooner5822]

@@rickysguitar Thanks a lot, thought had it right but theory so not my strong point. Thanks again and hope you and yours have a great Xmas.

[@cosmicaudio4589]

The word you are looking for is 'acrostic'.

[@karenmiles7063]

Thank you❤

[@rbebut1]

It is better to use A natural minor scale fingering than C major. Even though they both have no sharps or flats. The A natural minor scale cover the fret board better

[@jayharris6539]

Palindrome, word spelled the same forward and backward.

[@mimetype]

No, a Palindrome was a dinosour with seven legs that lived in France

[@kevkonk]

I am sure I used to watch Saturday Night at the London Palindrome on television in the 60’s, or was it Sunday night?

[@caftech8301]

Stirling Scotland 😎

[@papahicks3530]

Hello from Boogerwoods, Fl (Lake Wales) Love your lessons. You speak the way I can understand.

[@danielrichardtownsend930]

So up tonand on the 7th fret is repeatable 8th fret has two broken being the low CF, the high GC and then the 9th is BE. 10th resets for one 11 set of frets are the only sharps on the neck (didnt know that) 12th resets

[@jeffmiller2434]

This one helps remember the modes in order: I don't play loud music at lunch. You just can't forget that !

[@antoniolenzo2600]

Very clear, succinct and informative. I have been using 73625 for incremental differences from mixo-dorian-Aeolian etc. I found your 6251473 very useful in bridging and cementing the fretboard chordally. Thank you.

[@plumhunter9158]

I got it ... Looks like it could be very useful to play and find progressions, as well as chords

[@Andrew-cs1td]

I learned the order of flats by simply breaking the sequence into the word "BEAD" - and then just memorized "GCF" as a 3 letter sequence, so BEAD-GCF. Not sure if this is easier than remembering the Battle acronym for anyone else but I found I was much faster answering questions in theory class using my method.

[@rickysguitar]

If it works it works!! The reason I use this to teach is BEADGCF is the flats as you add them to the key signatures, If you reverse them you get FCGDAEB which is the sharps as you add them to they key signatures. I've always been intrigued by the way "Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father" sets a memorable scene that could be in a movie. By reversing it we get a weird palindrome like effect of the order of sharps, "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle". I always imagine them in the same movie, with swords, knights and priests.

[@Andrew-cs1td]

@@rickysguitar Yeah I had a friend tell me a pneumonic for FCGDAEB that I heard once and have never forgot. Unfortunately, it's not very polite, so I hesitate to share in public. So by the time I heard the battleship story, I had already memorized what I needed. But yes, order of sharp/flats or the circle of fifths is pretty magical for understanding key signatures. My issue is, I learned theory in a classroom without my guitar, so now I'm still putting them together.

[@mwilson70201]

Isn't middle c where piano tuners start?

[@mvdeehan]

Well I sat through the whole video tonight and liked it a lot. Bought your book and look forward to getting it. And to more really interesting stuff.