Here is what the open position guitar notes look like on a fretboard.
Think of a neck chart like this as a picture of a fretboard if you’re seeing it coming from the front of the guitar, with the headstock pointed toward the ceiling. The letters at the top will be the note names of the open strings, the E on the right being your 1st string (thinnest) and therefore the E towards the left being your 6th string (thickest). The letters on the frets are the names of the notes at those frets.
Don't try to memorize this all yet. That is the hard path and I am about to provide you a good way at the conclusion of the article. However, additionally you should know what these notes appear like on the music staff.
In practical use, there are 4 parts to your note: the letter name, where it is on the fretboard, the way it’s written on a page, and what it sounds like. Making sure you have the first 3 down is definitely important to avert issues down the road when teaching yourself brand new music as well as trying to talk to other musicians.
Here is what the open position notes look like on a staff:
Remember our “FACE” way of reading note names? The bottom space F is just there in the center on your fourth string at the 3 rd fret. Moving up the scale, you will go forward in the alphabet. Going in the scale is backwards in the alphabet.
Action Step: Let’s make certain all this good advice is well organized correctly and efficiently inside of your head. Perform these simple steps and you’ll have them all down in 20 minutes. Do one single string at one time. I suggest beginning with the top string (the last measure above), but starting with the bottom is alright as well.
Follow these steps:
1. Say the names for the notes while looking at them on your page. Be sure to say them aloud and look at the actual notes, not the tablature.
2. Now play the notes, saying the names out loud and having your eyes on your notation. By doing this you are getting these 4 elements of the note in your mind all at once.
3. Do step two in both directions, down and up. (E F G and G F E)
Do the best to not take a look at guitar while doing this. You’re setting up a little memory trigger by seeing the notes on your page as you play and say the notes. You’ll make some mistakes. That’s okay. Each and every mistake gets you closer to performing it appropriately.
4. When you have completed each string, reiterate steps 1-3 with pairs of strings. 1st and 2nd. Then 2nd and 3rd, and so on.
5. Reiterate them once again doing sets of three strings.
6. Do them one final time with all of the 6 strings.
Monotonous? Without a doubt. Yet that is how to completely cement the notes in your mind. With this quick strategy I am sure you’ll have all the open position beginner guitar notes thoroughly nailed in 20 mins or less. Then you're able to apply them to songs!
Get more lessons for beginning guitarists at Guitar Notes For Beginners HQ.com
