Originally Posted by
Robert
Good question - I am teaching my guitar students my own view of how to learn the fretboard. I will soon cover this on my own website, but the gist of it is "seeing" the notes on the fretboard. This works by learning patterns and shapes, then focusing on connecting these. As well, you should learn each scale from the lowest to the highest note on one single string, so that you are not locked into playing into certain positions. Freedom is good!
That sounds great. Having come to the guitar with memories of my youth piano experience, it is a little frustrating at times to me because I cannot look at the neck of the guitar and see all the notes and octaves lined up in white, with the sharps/flats lined up in black. Once I understand better, however, the freedom will be great. Spud gave me a good suggestion of just trying to play simple melodies on one string or so, and then in one position on the neck, to get a better feel for it. I am trying to use Christmas tunes for that purpose. Robert, I would really look forward to one of your great lessons on the subject.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson