Bill, I’m in the process of putting together deeper dive into learning the notes on the fretboard.

There are many reasons for knowing the note names inside/out, but it also depends on your end goal(s). If you want to be able to read sheet music, you have to know where all the notes on the neck are. However, even if you never plan on learning to read, you need to be able to quickly locate notes so that you can play chords or solo.

The first step is to be able to locate the note names by counting whole and half steps as you described, but if you don’t get quicker, then everything you want to learn to play is going to take you a long time to figure out. Once you get more advanced and learn more chord voicings, scale patterns, etc., you’ll need to be able to quickly locate those things (i.e. play them without thinking) if you want to freely improvise and create music. As I said, I’m currently working on materials to help aid in this learning process.

I don’t necessarily think in notes as I’m playing, per se. This is where it gets difficult to explain – I know what chord I’m playing or playing over at all times, and know all the notes I’m playing. But when I’m freely improvising, it’s a combination of thinking in notes, patterns (3rds, 6ths, ascending, etc.), arpeggios. I’ve gotten to the point where my hands, mind, and ears are all in sync and I know what I’m playing, but if I’m improvising a quick line (say in 16th note triplets), I’m not necessarily thinking individual note names at that moment in time (though if I were to stop on any note, I would be able to tell you exactly what note that is). Hope that makes sense. It’s a long, continuous learning process, but the quicker the basics become second nature, the better.

I can get the note names by counting whole and half steps from the open string or 12th fret. Are there some notable patterns that would help figure note names out quicker? I see the 5th and 10th frets look interesting with no flats or sharps, and the 12th fret is identical to the open strings. Thanks!

I just started learning from you videos. I’ve wanted to be able to improvise with some Garcia ideas forever ( I’m 60). While sheltering in place I’m seeing what I can learn. Your instruciton and choice of songs is really great!!!

Question. Is there an approach/system you use to help intuit the notes in a cord and if they are 3rds, 5ths and so on, or does it just require memorizaiton? I have a sense of the fretboard, but can’t quickly call out every note. I’m also trying to work though cords in my head while away from the guitar. Like “whats the 3rd of “e” or the sixth of “c”.

The half steps make it confusing as heck.

Thanks

Bruce

PS – I make chairs for a living.

There’s a lot out there on the Allmans “One Way Out” Dickey solo but they’re too fast even at 60% for me to effectively learn the part…..!? I was hoping I might pay you directly for a DVD video on how to play this.

One more suggestion is …..when you’re teaching the Allmans tunes, don’t use a dotted fretboard PRS……use a standard trapezoidal Les Paul….!!

I bought some lessons from Grateful Dead guitar lessons but he uses some strange custom fretboard markings making it more challenging to learn from.

If you’re teaching Clapton use a dang Strat, if you’re doing Duane Allman parts use a Les Paul, etc….!

I can be reached at (832) 881-8315 or at mthimbe@gmail.com

Thanks so much…..for some reason your lessons allow me to really connect and learn crucial guitar parts…..!!!