Fretboard Memory System
High ROISolve the "can't remember fretboard notes" pain point with mnemonics and gamified practice.
Interactive Fretboard
Hover to see note names; natural notes show by default.
Mnemonic Toolbox
Use patterns and short phrases to remember—pick what works best for you.
Open String Mnemonics (Low to High)
The two E strings (1st and 6th) are two octaves apart. Start from the thickest string!
Open String Mnemonics (High to Low)
High E (1st string) is the thinnest string closest to the floor when playing.
Natural Notes Have No Sharps Between
On piano, these are adjacent white keys with no black key between. All other natural notes have a sharp/flat between them.
5th Fret Tuning Rule
G-B is a major 3rd (4 frets) not a perfect 4th (5 frets), so use the 4th fret to tune the B string.
Level Map - 5 Stages
From basics to advanced, master the fretboard step by step
5th/6th String Root Location & Octave Jumping
Master natural note positions on bass strings, learn to quickly locate notes using octave shapes
CAGED Static Chord Shapes
Learn the 5 CAGED shape triads
3NPS Vertical Climbing
Master three-notes-per-string scale patterns, climb from 6th to 1st string
3NPS + CAGED Position Shifting
Combine both systems for horizontal position shifts
Stylized Scale Variations
Identify and apply different scale style variations through characteristic notes
3NPS Scale System
Three notes per string for efficient fretboard coverage
What is 3NPS?
3NPS (Three Notes Per String) is a scale fingering system where you play exactly three notes on each string before moving to the next. This creates consistent patterns that are perfect for fast, fluid playing.
Why Use 3NPS?
Speed & Economy
Consistent 3-note groupings enable smooth alternate picking and legato runs.
Only 3 Finger Patterns
Every mode uses just 3 'genes': W-W (whole-whole), W-H (whole-half), H-W (half-whole).
Seamless Connection
Patterns connect vertically across the entire fretboard without gaps.
The Shred Revolution
In the 1980s, guitarists like Paul Gilbert and John Petrucci revolutionized guitar technique by embracing 3NPS patterns. The secret? By standardizing to 3 notes per string, they could pick every note cleanly at blazing speeds. The alternate picking pattern (down-up-down, up-down-up) repeats perfectly, creating machine-like precision. Today, 3NPS remains the foundation of neoclassical shred, prog metal, and any style demanding technical fluency.
Start slow (60 BPM) with a metronome. Speed comes from clean muscle memory, not rushing.
3NPS Scale System
Three notes per string, vertical climbing
Click modes to switch and observe note position changes
CAGED Anchor System
Five shapes, chord-arpeggio-scale trinity
What is CAGED?
CAGED is a system that uses the shapes of 5 open chords (C, A, G, E, D) as anchors to play ANY chord anywhere on the neck. These same shapes also map out scales and arpeggios, creating a unified fretboard vision.
The Magic of CAGED
Each open chord shape can be moved up the neck with a barre. The sequence C-A-G-E-D repeats infinitely, giving you 5 ways to play every chord.
C major can be played as: C shape (open), A shape (3rd fret), G shape (5th fret), E shape (8th fret), D shape (10th fret)
How to Use CAGED for Improvisation
Anchor Your Root
Find the root note, then build the nearest CAGED shape around it.
Chord-Tone Soloing
The chord tones (1-3-5) within each CAGED shape are your 'safe landing' notes.
Position Shifting
Slide between adjacent CAGED shapes (C→A, A→G, etc.) for smooth fretboard navigation.
Voice Leading
Connect chord changes by finding the nearest CAGED shape for each chord.
Pro tip: Don't memorize all 5 shapes at once. Master E and A shapes first (the most common barre chord shapes), then add the others gradually.
CAGED Anchor System
Five shapes covering the entire fretboard
Click shapes to see chord-arpeggio-scale trinity
Tonal Mood Colorizer
Change scale style through characteristic notes
Tonal Mood Colorizer
Change scale style through characteristic notes
Click style buttons to see how characteristic notes change the scale color
Why Modes Sound Different
Each mode has a "characteristic note" that distinguishes it from the major scale. This single altered note creates the mode's unique emotional color:
- Lydian (#4): The raised 4th creates a bright, floaty, dreamy quality
- Mixolydian (b7): The lowered 7th removes tension, perfect for blues and rock
- Dorian (#6): The raised 6th (compared to natural minor) adds a jazzy sophistication
- Phrygian (b2): The lowered 2nd creates tension and an exotic, Spanish/metal flavor
The ear perceives these notes as "unexpected", creating distinctive moods.
Flashcard Practice
Fretboard Flashcards
Advanced Practice Tips
Sing While You Play
The single most effective (and most overlooked) practice technique. Sing the note names as you play them. This builds an unbreakable ear-fretboard connection.
The 'One Note Solo' Exercise
Pick ONE note and find every occurrence on the fretboard within 10 seconds. Then connect them with octave shapes. This builds instant fretboard recall.
Reverse Engineering
Learn songs by ear, then figure out WHY those notes work. What scale? What chord tones? Understanding trumps memorization.
The 5-Minute Daily Habit
Spend 5 minutes daily on pure fretboard visualization: no guitar, just mentally picturing note positions. This builds lasting neural pathways.
Guitar Lore & Wisdom
Stories behind the instrument
Why Standard Tuning?
Standard tuning (EADGBE) wasn't arbitrary. The intervals (4th-4th-4th-3rd-4th) balance playability with range. The G-B major 3rd breaks the pattern but enables comfortable chord voicings. Classical guitarists chose this tuning centuries ago, and it stuck.
The B-String Mystery
New guitarists often wonder why the B string 'feels different'. It's the only string tuned a major 3rd (4 frets) from its neighbor instead of a perfect 4th (5 frets). This affects octave shapes, barre chords, and scale patterns. Master this quirk early!
Django's Two-Finger Miracle
Django Reinhardt, arguably the greatest jazz guitarist ever, played with only two functioning fingers after a fire damaged his hand. His limitation forced innovation, creating a unique style that influenced generations. Constraints breed creativity.
The Hendrix Chord
The 'Hendrix chord' (7#9) became iconic through 'Purple Haze'. It's not a new chord—jazz players used it for decades—but Hendrix made it rock's signature sound. Sometimes context matters more than invention.
Quick Tips
- •Use the 5th fret harmonic to check tuning (matches next open string, except G→B)
- •The 12th fret is always the same note as the open string, one octave higher
- •Power chords (1-5) work everywhere because they have no 3rd to clash with the key
- •When lost in a solo, land on a chord tone (1, 3, or 5) - you can't go wrong
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