Free Online Guitar Tools
Fretboard Trainer: Learn the Notes on the Guitar Neck
A note lights up on the neck — you name it. Five minutes a day and you will know the fretboard in a few weeks.
Strings
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How to learn the fretboard fast
- Start with the 6th and 5th strings only (the default). These are the roots of barre and power chords.
- Learn the "landmark" notes first: frets 3, 5, 7 and 12 on each string.
- Remember there is no sharp between B–C and E–F.
- Add the 4th string, then the rest. Use the 0–5 fret range while you learn a new string.
- Practise 5 minutes a day rather than one long session a week.
Octave shortcuts
- A note on the 6th string at fret n is repeated on the 4th string at fret n + 2.
- A note on the 5th string at fret n is repeated on the 3rd string at fret n + 2.
- From the 3rd string to the 1st string, add 3 frets (because of the B string tuning).
- Fret 12 on any string = the open string, one octave higher.
More in music theory for guitarists.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn the fretboard?
With 5 minutes of daily practice, most players learn the notes on the 6th and 5th strings in 1–2 weeks and the whole neck up to fret 12 in 1–2 months.
Do I need to learn all the notes on the guitar?
Knowing the 6th and 5th strings is enough for barre chords and most rhythm playing. Knowing all strings helps with soloing, reading and theory.
