SECRETS of the guitar fretboard

[@bigwavedave8492]

Wow man thanks sooo much ....it's like you've opened a door that I've been trying to bash down

[@blackdog12873]

the secret of the fretboard just became an unsolvable mystery to me!!!

[@NinjaLifeCrisis]

I've watched a handful of your videos and learnt more this morning than I have playing guitar for the last 30+ years. I've watched countless videos trying to get a better understanding of the guitar but nothing comes close to your video explanations! Thanks for sharing!

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

That is awesome!

[@ericallmeroth4698]

Thanks for your efforts here to explain this concept. For me,, having played guitar all my life and never having seen much relevant application of the circle of fifths, I wish this explanation wasn’t convoluted by introducing and overlaying this concept also here. I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea of the top three strings in the root position which are E A and D as related to the minor key, or a minor chord. Considering this is the key of B which was pointed out as it relates to “1” then I see that the D note is in fact the flatted third (minor note), the A is the flatted seventh, and the E note is the fourth note of both the minor and major scale which I would seldom use in a minor chord. Key of B: E A D 4 b7 b3 Heavily influenced by the five pattern Larry Carlton system of “seeing“ the neck, I would really like to know how to apply this major/minor scale system into my playing. Look forward to a video demonstrating the application. Once again thanks for your efforts.

[@INVERTEDBUKAKI]

Hey Will long-time subscriber I really appreciate you uploading some of this stuff as a father with two little kids I don't have enough money right now to buy a pack of strings this help someone like me immensely

[@PLipetska]

I hope this is not confusing, but I believe that I have figured out the fretboard. I’m new to playing a guitar and I am self-taught by watching all the great KZbin‘s. However, I too wondered what the dots on the fretboard meant. I did a lot of research and could not find information about the design of the fretboard. What I have figured out is if you look at The fretboard from the nut to the 12th fret is one octave or thereabouts. Now, between fret five and seven there is no dot on the sixth fret, or better there’s no dot on the fretboard between the fifth and sixth fret. If you took a hand saw and cut the fretboard in half between the fifth and the sixth fret, then folded it on top of each other Fret-to-fret, they are mirror images of each other. Moreover, from the nut, the first two frets in that area has no dots (at least on my guitar). And from the ninth fret to the double dots on the 12th fret are two areas that don’t have a dot. Plus the pattern of dots on the third and the fifth fret lineup to the seventh and the ninth fret when you put them face-to-face. Furthermore, I discovered when you use the fifth fret to tune your guitar for example - finger on the Low E , fifth fret, and plucking the two strings will both ring out the note “A”, which is the string next to it to verify the tuning. I also found something interesting, when you pluck the low E string but your finger on the seventh fret “A” string, which is a note “B”, you will hear a harmonic frequency between the two strings which works like that on all adjacent strings. Conversely, when you’re tuning a guitar between the G in the B, you have to move one fret towards the nut to get them in tune, but when you create the harmonics on the seventh fret with strings G and B, you move away or opposite direction One semitone from the nut to get the harmonics for those two strings. This got me to believe that the fretboard is a mirror image from the sixth fret. Then from the 12th double dot fret to the 22th towards the bridge, is a (copy and paste ) complete duplicate of the lower half with identical dot placements except the frets are frets closer in spacing, which I believe the narrow spacing is required so the fretboard is not too long (just a thought). I also believe that the design was such that if you cut the fret board in a longitudinal from the nut all the way down to the bridge between string G and D, that will separate the base sounds and the treble tones. Please tell me what you think. I believe the guitar is one of the most fascinating instruments known to man. Thank you for your time! Patrick

[@baimun]

VERY useful tool for those of us who have relative pitch (as opposed to perfect pitch where one can label a note when hearing it). Being able to slide up to a note and use your method to play the every note in a major or minor scale with one hand, within a two fret span... then harmonize those relative pitches... I feel like I'll be able to much more quickly create harmonizing lines and the appropriate chord without wandering off into a nearby mode.

[@YEM_]

I'm shocked when reading the comments on this video and the previous one how many people find this helpful. "Instead of thinking about it the way you already do, pretend your guitar is tuned differently than it is and then think in 5ths". Everyone is like "you set me free" but I doubt any of those people can do this on the fly if they couldn't already name the notes and intervals from that note on any string.

[@Astr-w6y]

The real secret approach involves no thinking.

[@kane6529]

Fair enough it’s not earth shattering but it’s a new way of looking at things and the reality is it takes a lot of time and effort and memorization to where as you say you can recall it on the fly which there’s no shortcut to repetition

[@Astr-w6y]

@@kane6529 There is no substitute for practicing the right way and a lot of repetition till something becomes second nature but you either have it or don't when it comes to affecting the listener in an emotional way and all the practice in the world won't help for that unfortunately, there are a lot of great technical players around that lack feel, I played almost everyday for over 60 years only to find out I don't have it but I still very much play & record music for my own enjoyment and that is the main thing to me whether others like my tunes or not , some of my works are posted here.

[@kane6529]

@@Astr-w6y it’s cool you enjoy playing and have the awareness to know your not a virtuoso! It’s a fun journey and never stops

[@Astr-w6y]

@@kane6529 Thanks, I feel the world doesn't need anymore virtuoso's, I like to see the focus more on good songwriting and attitude like back in earlier times, I love old punk rock etc. and haven't known of any virtuoso's to play that style in a convincing kind of way as it is more about attitude, any kind of rock is more about attitude with mistakes left in there that becomes part of the excitement and character, we miss a lot of that in today's music except I am noticing a few bringing that back.

[@vomito72]

Mate your videos about circle of fifth and fretboard are simply what i always miss, I can say tht's unlocked everything

[@josephzimmer5586]

I have been searching and searching for someone who makes sense. Thank you so much!!! I sold my guitars 20+ years ago and never replaced them until a week ago. So I figured instead of self teaching again. I would try to learn how to read music, understand theory and so on and so forth. Again thank you so much.

[@johnfeole1971]

Light just went on in brain, thank you!

[@thumbody1]

I admire your approach to finding a different way of understanding how the guitar works but, for me, after studying and playing guitar for over 50 years, this seems very confusing to me. Probably because my theory training was all keyboard based. I learned to apply the keyboard theory to guitar later on. Kudos to you for coming up with an alternate method. I'm sure this will help someone understand it better.

[@axemanfishing2703]

I agree with you Ken 100%. This approach is from a theory mind place, not an ear playing approach as my playing is from for the past 40 years. This is far too technical for my musical brain to latch on to, but this may be great for many others and their mathematical brain. Nice that Gelvin took the time to post this thought, great effort. 🙂

[@exerciserelax8719]

Yeah, I don't understand what this is for, at all. I don't get how someone would use this.

[@jowlorenz9555]

The uppity guitarist guild must be trying to throw all us intuitive newbies off the trail so that they don't become irrelevant as they are already nowadaze. Gotta luv watching anal-retentive academia nutz crunch themselves --- or not !

[@Ashaliel]

@@exerciserelax8719 I've made it about 9 minutes and and it is not clicking for me yet either. It seems a bit convoluted.

[@AndrewConniff]

I agree - although I also think a follow up showing how to apply it might change my mind

[@kevingibbet1566]

Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father. Thanks for that insight.

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

Fraudulent Clinton Gave Democrats Additional Election Ballots. Then it continues with Gloating Democrats Approve Encroaching BIlls (these are the flats). If you do it the direction you are going it is the circle of fourths.

[@olivier3847]

interesting...i also like to move the notes on the first three strings an octave down to the top three strings...so in C major the three major chord notes (I, IV, V) are on the third fret and the three minor chord notes (II, III, VI) are open on the same strings (and the VII diminished on the second fret below the root), which also gives an easy to remember visual pattern

[@thesaj1110]

Man, at one point I got lost! please make a video where you apply this to the guitar so we can get the whole visual thing, please.

[@MrThemortgage]

Sorry, too confusing, been at it way to long to use this method. But if it works for you great!

[@guitarchique]

Wow! Just Wow! My mind is blown! Never seen anyone teach that! Makes perfect sense! Now I understand the fretboard setup! Thank you Gelvin!

[@kashivishwanath7603]

Hi. This is, by far the best video on guitar I have seen. Not a single video explained as you did. Great tutorial, indeed.👍👍👍

[@JohnJones-ep7of]

That is one of the best ways I've heard it explained . Thanks !

[@lancegould]

Wow, mind blown. I learned a long time ago about chord construction and the stacking of thirds (I.e. the 5th is the 3rd of the 3rd and the 7th is the 3rd of the 5th and all that shit) but I guess because of the B and high E strings’ displacement, I was prevented from seeing that every-other-string pattern, which, obviously, no one teaches. Once you’ve showed this to me, I’m going to sit down and, I guess just start unlocking all these gaps in my knowledge or maybe linking my knowledge of the notes on the fretboard to the information that has been opened by the key you just gave me. You’ve opened Pandora’s box and it’s going to take a while for my subconscious mind to work it out. Lots of sleeping is in my future. Lol.

[@TSoneonetwo]

after 30 years of playing, I am still embroiled in a fight with my fingers to do what I want them to. the fight between my brain and music theory would just be an exercise in constantly pissing myself off LOL i learned many years ago that there are some things this brain looks at and goes "f that"! to those of you who can understand theory in whatever form, and then apply it? you have my admiration.

[@markd5067]

I'm in your camp, but with over 50 years of playing 😕. This seems to be a lesson for those that already know theory.... So his secret remains....

[@rayhoskins4478]

If I did understand this….I still don’t understand how it would be applied in music?

[@steveelle2169]

You’ve got to be kidding. There’s a reason nobody showed you this before. It should remain a secret.

[@geomann1009]

Thank-you beyond words for bringing a completely different but more sensefil approach to the fretboard!! I may have to watch it several times but incredible!!

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

My pleasure!

[@Man.Well93]

@@WillsEasyGuitar absolutely useless and uneccessarily overcomplicated information.

[@SyNKevN]

@@Man.Well93 I will wait and will love to see your rendition of a video explaining the fretboard.... I won't hold my breath... .... Asshole

[@mahimelodies]

Hello. First of all I want to thank u from bottom of my heart. Ur knowledge and the way u teach is unbelievable. Its so authentic. Second I had visited ur said website but nothing other than making guitars is there. Can u send me the link for ur website. Wher I can learn more

[@wallyinthebox1]

Wishing You a merry Christmas Will. Miss you Dude!

[@mikepaulus4766]

Very nice idea. I'll have to play with this and think about it to get it into my mind.

[@ashthegreat1]

I was hoping there would be someone else in the comments who had absolutely no idea what you were on about.

[@CobyBassett]

same! Is this one of those 'David goes to the dentist' videos, but all of the commenters have also coincidentally just gone to the dentist??

[@ashthegreat1]

Maybe? I’m unqualified to say. My music theory is like a primitive savage

[@thore_rohit]

Wow, a completely new perspective for me.

[@Scottysaan]

That makes sense. I never looked at it that way. Like you said, we look at it in reverse, top down.

[@mrnopesaysnope]

This is, by far, the greatest thing I've ever seen on this topic and along with all the attendant emotions of joy, relief, stunned silence, etc. I am also filled with something like real annoyance and anger at all those who, instead of teaching the truth, clutter the airwaves of internet guitar music theory with hundreds of pages and systems that, e.g., CAGED, are just (as far as I've experienced) not suitable for guitar. I have this sinking feeling that a lot of channels are started up by dudes with some guitar skill, a book on CAGED, and a computer. I know people gotta eat, but I've had the experience more than a few times of getting several minutes/a few videos in before the hammer is dropped and it's announced that, now that we know the string names etc., it's time to learn the real deal, which is this counterintuitive difficult boilerplate curriculum. As I said, people gotta eat, but I feel like a lot of these channels hurt players, inadvertently. Because they don't do what you do, which is just explain this magical pattern, that is not a government secret, or occluded knowledge, and then get on with it. This has changed my entire comprehension, it's like jumbled letters have assembled into coherence. I hope a lot of people find this and that just as many stay off the primrose path of snake oil.

[@olivier3847]

calling the caged system not suitable for guitar is just absurd...it is per definition a guitar system, and one of the most important ones to open up the guitar neck...i wish i had noticed it in my first year of learning to play guitar instead of only 5 years later...we didn't have internet in the nineties

[@Hakuakuki-n3q]

Thank you 🙏 so much😇

[@Asheanae]

I LOVE THIS APPROACH. How would this apply to less strings, like a ukulele? music theory generally brakes my brain, this is much more approachable.

[@zsaxeshed5743]

I absolutely love this channel dude,you are the man!

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

I appreciate that!

[@kevinkillsit]

Dooood! Where has this been all my life!!! Absolutely mind blowing that I have never learned this and never understood why the guitar is tuned the way it is and how it all connects to circle of fifths. I've had all the pieces, but never put them together until now. I honestly can't thank you enough! What an epiphany.

[@kevinkillsit]

18yrs of playing never understood

[@oliverhazard73]

13.43 "well, its really hard to remember..." that was really funny. This is the kind of video that I need 2 watch a few times, over the course of a week so I can take it all in. Ive been playing for 3 decades, and this is heavy lifting 4 me

[@embreesmith7613]

Thanks Will Hope Your health is good. 🙂

[@butcheringsaint]

Nice way to view it! Thanks!

[@fredsteinhauer3558]

Very awesome approach to teaching this!!

[@squirelova1815]

SOLD! I will spend the lousy fifty bucks for this Deep level of Revelation. You Sir William are a "stable genius" indeed. I hope you are healing and feeling and better, Amen.

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

Did you buy it?? I did and got ripped off totally!

[@brentchapman5177]

Great way of looking at the fretboard, I love it. Can you help me understand the video starting at 11:07 where you show the barre for D, E, F, & G major? Are you barring on the correct fret or should the bar be down 1 fret toward the headstock? What am I missing here?

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

just think of the nut as the barr. then you fret the high e and b.

[@sean3994]

@@WillsEasyGuitar Yes I too am a little confused here. You show barring on the 3rd fret, and you push down the high e and b on the 4th fret. The corresponding notes are G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab? As Brent Chapman has pointed out, in the key of D major, shouldn't you be barring on the 2nd fret? to give F#, B, E, A, D, G!

[@olivier3847]

@@WillsEasyGuitar you misunderstood his question, you're one fret off at that timestamp

[@GillesChehade]

mind blown 🤯 thanks, you've got a new subscriber

[@teachmeguitar4149]

You are incredible at explaining things at a working mans level. Thank you

[@ZoneB731]

Finally something new. So rad.

[@5T3LTH]

Cool presentation. The basic idea here was pretty intuitive already from playing open chords along with a piano, and noodling in 1st position in key of c

[@kentzepick4169]

I know a decent amount of music theory but I found this explanation ridiculously complicated.

[@theAxehound]

Imma build me a C standard guitar, but now I wanna sharpen that "B string" and move the 10th fretmarker down to the 9th fret and that should be a piano fretboard, with the inlays as the white keys and the ones in between the black keys.

[@deetee5156]

Great video. Will need to view this a few times to make it stink in

[@zzzsydneyhom1379]

This is bloody brilliant! Thanks Nick!

[@sprit2000able]

너무 눈물이 나네요 사랑합니다건강하세요

[@LeviSky7]

You sir, are brilliant.

[@ronrubicon1593]

I'm so glad this wasn't confusing for me at all. That was sarcasm. You're the best, regardless, Will. My inability to grasp the slightest bit of music theory is not your fault.

[@stephenpounder3373]

Thanks for confusi ng the shit out of me, that's what I love about you guys who push music therory

[@steveatsockfeetstudio1020]

Just wow, wow and wow.

[@guitarlots]

Very good visual

[@donindri]

So did you get this from Tom Quayle, or did he get it from you? Actually I have seen these explanations before, but not quite as clearly as you put it. Thanks for posting.

[@LewdCustomer]

Diggin' these insights I can use now.

[@thomasfritsch3536]

Wow I read the comments just dido thank you so much for this

[@thegermantomoeser]

You definitly deserve much more subscribers! Fantastic! I have lost so many years... 🙃

[@HarbingerOfAnarchy]

What the problem with looking on the fretboard through the circle of 4th perspective?

[@alva72nashir3]

we can use 3 and 4 full note pattern other note would be semi tone B or F right?

[@johnrebolledofaminial3698]

Nice i appreaciate so much...

[@vinvin1909]

Nice stuff, man.

[@robertshorthill6836]

A mandolin has no B string to worry about. If one needs a B note, you go to the 7th fret on the E string or 2nd fret A string, or 9th fret D string and lastly, 4th fret on the G string. Think of a mandolin as being a guitar played upside down and backwards. A mando is a cool instrument and easy to learn if you stick with it. Bob

[@johnrandle8365]

Are these a series of opposites half minor half major in different keys I am a beginner or novice just trying to understand this system?

[@creatingspacesproducer]

Hey man, thank you for the video's! As others have pointed out, I also believe there is something wrong with your explanation of the D chord there, can you have a look? Kind regards

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

there is nothing wrong with my explanation. You weren't paying attention to what I was saying or teaching. I wasn't teaching you how to make a D major chord I was talking about the notes and chords of D major. watch it again.

[@creatingspacesproducer]

@@WillsEasyGuitar oh shit i get it now! Thanks for answering and the explanation!

[@olivier3847]

@@WillsEasyGuitar except when you show it on the neck you're one fret off...

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

@@WillsEasyGuitar What's wrong with the files you sell for $59.99? Not video. RIP OFF

[@craiggamble4431]

I learnt my circle of fifths in school through my guitar tutor and I always felt drawn to it. I had no reason why at the time until now 20 years later after what feels like such a struggle. If my guitar tutor explained this to me or even my music teacher about the circle of fifths and how to use it. I’d have been a much more successful musician instead I had a multitude of times putting instruments down through frustration. Thank you so much.

[@clanza2024]

That s what happens when one ends up with the wrong teacher or music school.. they have so called teachers who really don't know the theory well enough to even be teaching it and as a result you get a frustrated student who gives up on music out of no fault of their own..much better to teach yourself.. like I'm doing.. 👍🏻👍🏻🎸🎸🎸

[@djmustad]

I just saw you on a Navage commercial!

[@mrovation99]

Very confused now

[@ambu6478]

I appreciate what you're doing, but for someone who is just now starting guitar lessons, this making my eyes cross. I'll try to get through it again, but it seems like Greek to me right now.

[@theAxehound]

Love me some fn Will!! Dude's a genius

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

GelvinGuitars is a total RIPOFF!

[@danbromberg]

At 10:55, I'm confused why you show a D major chord comprised of the notes G, D and A? (i.e., shouldn't the notes be F#, D, and A?)

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

there is nothing wrong with my explanation. You weren't paying attention to what I was saying or teaching. I wasn't teaching you how to make a D major chord I was talking about the notes and chords of D major. watch it again.

[@paddycallaghan]

Did I miss the way to form minor chords? The barre for major will be very helpful but I didn't understand the minor making? Shall be watching this back. Great vid!

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

I wasn't showing how to form chords just showing which chords are in a key along with the notes within a key.

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

@@WillsEasyGuitar Paid the $59.99 and got files that were not video files. The only one viewable was the "Revision" one which is useless. Such a RIP for a good chunk of change. Rip off!

[@johnpick8336]

Are those George Costanza's hands in this video ?

[@embreesmith7613]

Hi there, Willie

[@daninthemoon2616]

Excellent

[@deesnuts2791]

I couldn't stop thinking of them old shead spread commercials while I watched this...

[@RippedPantsss]

Blew my mind

[@Milehighshred]

VERY cool! This is the first time I've ever seen things laid out like this. Learned something new today!

[@waynehicks1969]

Liked and subscribed. I have always thought of myself as a critical thinker. I guess I was wrong, because in this case I have just been trying to understand music information the way it was handed to me and never thought; "What's wrong with this picture". Thanks.

[@kane6529]

I watched this video twice and at the end I finally had a moment where it all made sense 🤯 at first I was very confused but this is actually a very helpful way of looking at things, thanks for being like Taco Bell and thinking outside the bun or in the sake of guitars outside the box 😅

[@markknowlton9184]

This is the dumbest hardest way to learn about the fretboard... If you are a beginner and are discouraged by this ridiculously difficult algebra problem please throw it in the trash and never think of the fretboard this way... It's way too much math 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@raybenoit5238]

If you don't Mind , what is the name of your last video ?

[@WillsEasyGuitar]

"you are not looking at the fretboard correctly"

[@Chase-wu2id]

Wow, this is so helpful. However, i play a lot in open E. Is there a similar method/pattern of applying the circle of fifths in that tuning? Does the course on the website discuss that? Thanks so much for this content.

[@KerryFreemanMelbourne]

Mind blowing...

[@anthonylove821]

I made it to 6:43 and don’t think I can rewire my brain to normal thinking again 😂…. I get that’s he’s trying to make it easier from another perspective but it got very confusing to me once he said to leave out the e strings. Is this the only way you can know how the circle of fifths works or are there easier ways?

[@kevinfarrell5100]

I understood everything except for the part that comes after now listen to this...

[@hkassar9323]

This is so good, thanks so much for taking time to share this. Its going to be a game changer for many players i think.

[@edcrutchfield3447]

Lost me on this 🤷🏾‍♂️. But I’m going to KEEP studying it. Thank you 😊

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

Dont buy his stuff. You get files but they are not video files. Totally ripped me off for $59.99. No way to contact him or GelvinGuitars.

[@mobileguitarshop5693]

Thx for sharing, new sub!

[@KarthikNair7]

Hi, not sure if this has been answered before but what happened to your other channel - saradonic philosophia

[@TremourSphereUK]

In your course on your website is this how it is laid out? or is it different?

[@StevenHamilton-k2f]

Don't buy it's a total RIPOFF! Fraud There's no way to contact them either.

[@rayhoskins4478]

If I did understand this….I still don’t understand how it would be applied in music?

[@stevepope5484]

If u used a Blue marker,,? It would all make since.

[@Hoekstes]

Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

[@deanherbig9178]

wow never looked at it that way

[@jubyerhashin8214]

Mine as well have been in Greek 😂

[@billh4946]

It's like I'm looking at Egyptian hieroglyphics! I'm totally lost!

[@jessehutchings]

I guess the main reason why learning the music alphabet has been so hard for me is because I already know how to play almost entirely by ear minus sweep runs, full scale runs and high tempo shredding. So, for me, I've always been like .. why do I even need to learn this stuff when I can play without it based on hearing and memorization of patterns I've played before? So can I sit down and write sheet music? That's not what I want to spend my time doing; I'll never be an orchestral composer. What's the point? The most important reason for me is to play lead and create lead guitars and to collaborate with other musicians using a common language .. So, that's why I'm trying to learn this now .. it's really difficult when you don't actually have any other musicians you're working with at the moment

[@danhalen1967]

Just learn the notes on the fretboard and key signatures.. then you free yourself from boxes and shapes. It is worth the effort.

[@azzuro195]

gret vid with one mistake at 11:10 when showing principle on real fretboard: everything should be like you already drawn on paper: one step below. what is shown is for d#

[@Gregorywillard777]

Thank you thank you thank you You Dropped a Bomb on Me