Ask Alex about... Guitar Fretboard

Key ideas:

Regardless of style and genre the basic fretboard layout truths stay the same.

Therefore, knowing the fretboard in and out, truly understanding it, is the master key to playing guitar.

Understanding the fretboard yields far better results than learning fingering patterns by rote.

Not understanding the fretboard results in poor musicianship.

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Guitar Fretboard

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Ask Alex about... Guitar Fretboard

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May 25, 2011

Someday maybe...
by: Alex

If you know of an awesome developer, let me know!

Feb 15, 2011

Apps
by: Anonymous

Alex are you familiar with iphone apps? there is allot out there in music theory, guitar theory, fretboards, any chance you have surveyed these apps and have an opinion on any standouts?
I find apps help me get some learning done on the subway, at the doctors office....etc....

I think you could design a Killer app for guitar theory!

regard, Josh

Apr 30, 2010

wonky math...
by: Alex

Hi Ian:

Let's take a look at a C Major triad to explain this:

C-E-G

The way intervals are calculated is as follows:

C-d-E (1-2-3): a third (Major)

E-f-G (1-2-3): a third (Minor)

C-d-E-f-G (1-2-3-4-5): a fifth (Perfect)

Given that we are "stacking" intervals, rather than adding quantities, a third plus a third equals a fifth. Please let me know if this clears the doubt!

Cheers,

Alex

ps. by stacking I mean playing several notes at the same time. In this case, it is the notes that make up a major chord.

Apr 27, 2010

Three plus three equals five?
by: Ian Gardner

Could you explain this a little more please? Also what do you mean by "stacked"?
Congratulations on this section, by the way.

Apr 08, 2010

Break things down: an example...
by: Alex

Pete, a good way of going about this -or any- daunting mega-task is to break it down into small, doable tasks. Break it down to the point where you are in full control...

Remember the first rule of any game:

You can only get smarter by playing a smarter opponent.

In our example, if we try to tackle the fretboard whole, it will slaughter us.
So lets start with simple things, break them down to their essential components, THEN gradually take on bigger, smarter opponents.

In your example, the E Major chord, it would help to notice that this is a simple major triad. As such, it is composed of a minor third stacked on top of a major third. These thirds add up to a perfect fifth.

3 + 3 = 5
(yes, your elementary school teacher was dead wrong)

or...

x + y = x + y - 1
(and your algebra teacher!)

Then you can start exploring triad inversions. What intervals show up then?

Then you can experiment with doubling certain notes -or voices- as in your example...

See what I mean? This turns your ubiquitous E Major chord into something you can actually play around with. Now you know its building blocks, so you can re-build it in myriad different ways.

Hope this helps...

Alex

ps. Great quote!
Music theory has no end to its depth. Guitar theory however, is just like a chessboard... infinite possibilities within the bounds of a well defined grid.

Apr 07, 2010

Applying a musical framework to the fretboard.
by: Pete Beattie

Hi Alex:

Thanks so much for taking the time to address my questions.
I still feel a bit daunted by the magnitude of the task. There seem to be zillions of scales, arpeggios to learn along with their respective relationships to chord shapes.
What I hope to do is get my brain and my hands to start negotiating the fretboard musically (as opposed to relying on memorized shapes).

An E chord, for example, is often understood by guitarists as something that you find in first position with the index finger covering G# on the third string, the ring finger covering E on the fourth string and the middle finger covering B on the fifth string.
This chord is a thing of incredible beauty, power and versatility but it just happens to sit there.

I will stop rambling here and end with a quote:

Theory: The deeper I go, the deeper it gets!

Apr 07, 2010

See the guitar fretboard as a chessboard...
by: Alex

Hi Pete:

Thanks for your question. Given its apparent complexity, the fretboard may well seem to be a universe. But it is not so: it is finite and has well defined rules, just like a chessboard!

So the first thing that needs to be done to find freedom -and creativity- on the fretboard may seem counter-intuitive:

Learn the rules of the game!
(Remember, rules can only be broken once you know them, right?)

Most people attempt the "short route": learn a few scales and patterns. Some attempt the "long route": learn ALL the scales and patterns (as if that were possible at all)!

Few undertake the SMART route: understand the rules of the game...

Wanna play?

Apr 07, 2010

What do I do to find freedom in the fretboard universe?
by: Pete

If one has been playing guitar by tab, hook and crook since Moby Dick was a minnow, where do you recommend starting the process of developing a usable musical navigation system on the guitar fretboard?
I know the notes, I can find major scales by ear.

What do I do to find freedom in the fretboard universe?

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