The Guitar Fretboard Trick You Can't Unsee

[@jessmore9870]

Whatever works, I suppose. What's been effective for me with students is first to understand that the 12th fret is the octave, which is where the note on any of the open strings begins over again. Second each string contains every possible note once and only once going from open to 12th fret -- each once per octave. In other words, it's not random, each string is just starting at a different place. Also point out that notes on the E strings are the same. Then point out that if you play a note and go towards the body two frets and down two strings toward the floor, you have the same note an octave higher. (Pointing out the pesky B string has to be three frets.) Then learn the notes on the low E string, especially E F G A B C D E. Understand that sharps and flats are just the same notes one fret away. At that point, you can figure out four strings from knowing just one. The learn the concept of a fifth, and do the same thing one string down and two frets up (other than the B string) and you have the whole neck. Eventually point out that the notes in each string can skip down a string starting on the fifth fret. In other words, give the student tools to figure out notes, not just mnemonic phrases for particular spots. And it's very important to point out that chords can move the same way. Show how the E chord moves up and down the neck depending on the note on the low E, etc.

[@raygehring]

Thanks for watching, I aqppreciate it. For 25 yrs. all my students learn every combination of ways to learn the fretboard. Not only the notes but how to read music in every postion and improvise. Every student sees and learns things differently and in multiple ways. This is one of hundreds and it works every single time. This video is just one , one simple little phrase to have fun with. It's for those, and only those, who find acronyms helpful. one simple trick can work. I can't go over myriad other concepts when this video is about 1 thing only. I have a whole series up here on music theory where all is explained for my students or viewers.

[@deanbembridge8640]

I've been playing for years and never learned the note's on the fretboard but I seem to hit the right ones when I'm soloing 🎸🎵🎵

[@raygehring]

And that's all that matters, hitting the right notes.

[@gjoseph1628]

A beginning student, no matter his age, will learn to do this within two months at most. The acronym will not be necessary. Guitar learner will quickly develop this intuition.

[@raygehring]

I know, you'd definitely think so but, after teaching for 25 yrs, it's surprising how many never do this, never thought about it, or would consider it a way to memorize notes (& I speak as one of them myself from 30 yrs ago- I just memorized the notes). Often I will think these things are obvious to everyone yet, they are not. So, I made a silly video for them. Also, I agree w/you 100%, as I say over & over again in videos, as soon as you know the notes, forget the acronym. I just hope Instead of learning this after 2 months, they could see it here in 3 seconds and those who don't know about this will never forget. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@romang9629]

This was great for me! I am learning the natural notes on the fretboard now. I know where all my Es and Fs are. Now, using your acronym I know all the notes on the fifth fret. Thank you for this quick lesson!

[@raygehring]

Thanks for watching! I'm so glad it helped you. My father who doesnt know anything about guitar can name those notes still after showing him that 20 yrs ago.

[@michaelrafferty660]

Good tip. Here is your 50!

[@raygehring]

Thank you Michael! I appreciate your time watching and subscribing.

[@keithconner9036]

Thank you

[@raygehring]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@aaatmusic]

Or just remember 5th fret is same as open string above. 7th fret is same note as open string below. No need for remembering convoluted acronyms. And you now have two points you can jump to, on top of knowing 12th is octave of open string.

[@raygehring]

Well, this acronym is far from convoluted. Remember, this is one way to do it. NOT the way. Do what works for you.

[@turkmusik]

Those memory tricks create short-term gains and slow long-term performance. You are much better off actually memorizing things for what they are than inserting something about dog food.

[@raygehring]

Yes, you are right to a degree. After teaching for three decades, I have never seen a student continue to use any acronyms. You learn an acronym just to learn the letters fast. It works, and people are smart enough not to use acronym over and over again. Your point is made often, but I never see people repeating it once they know it. Acronyms are used in education every day. It’s a tool to remember then forget. I don’t think people are gonna stop using “every good boy does fine” to learn the musical staff. My point is, to you and to anyone, everybody learns differently, everybody uses different methods so what’s good for you, isn’t necessarily meant for somebody else. Keep that in mind.

[@Al-ir9co]

I would teach my students the open strings with the phrase eat all dead groundhogs before evening

[@raygehring]

I'm going to use that! Yeah, with older students, we've gone through some NSFW acronyms. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[@tomcatdsl]

Every Ass Does Get Bad Eventually

[@newyorkmusiccoop9062]

And every one of those notes are in the C major/A minor pentatonic. Each note there can be a jumping off point for soloing.

[@raygehring]

Thank you! Good point.

[@rustybrantley2272]

Nice. I like to do a mix of acronyms and just treating it like it's a nonsensical word. ADGCEA is a black girls name in my mind and her BF is on top of her. Sounds stupid but it's all subconscious after it sinks in your repertoire. EADGBE is a word F CF BEA is a woman's name GCF DG B ADGCEA F BEAD B CF. GC Is can't find Guitar Center BE. Is a word DGCFAD is David Geffen Company FAD Back to EADGBE Then GAB and CDE make parallel patterns on string pairs. When you make it a game and challenge yourself, it's fun and you just get better and better!

[@jerrybake-iy6jq]

Fifth fret on the b string is an E note.You called an E a B

[@raygehring]

Yikes, I didn't see that!.Thank you for pointing that out, I appreciate it!

[@jas2819]

😴😴😴😴😴😴

[@raygehring]

Hah, well, I'll do better next time. Hate to put you to sleep, honestly.

[@morganpeline9822]

Uh.. you mean A, D, G, C, E, A...You said: "A, D, G, C, B, A"...you said B instead of E....It's the B string, and E at the 5th fret...Your acronym is correct though.

[@raygehring]

Damn, thank you for pointing that out. Sometimes I garbled the end of my letters, so they sound like other ones too. Hey thank you so much for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it!