[Pipsqueak]

Well...a discussion in the "blues riff" thread kind of sparked some theory discussion. Several people seemed interested in going over some theory, so I thought I would just make a new thread of it. I'll post pieces over time. I'm going to treat this as a review for myself....because I am learning too. Keep in mind, a LOT of this information is stuff I've posted before, in other forums, and a lot of it is stuff other people have posted.
I feel it's always good to share the wealth.
We'll start VERY basic (because that's what people asked for) and work our way up. Please feel free to add your $.02, ask questions, and build on the thread. Like I said, I'm learning too!
here goes nuthin'!

Part I:

Once you have the fundamentals of chord construction under your belt, you shouldn't have any trouble from that point on gaining info from other sources.

Here we go....we start simply...master and move on....
We use 12 notes in western music.

# = sharp
b = flat

They're named A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#. G, G#. (by the way, the notes without sharps represent the white keys of a piano - the sharps represent the black keys)

Any note named with a sharp can also be named as a flat. For example A# is also called Bb. C# is also called Db , D# = Eb, F# = Gb, and G# = Ab

Obviously it seems like they could have come up with a simpler naming system - you'll see it all works out nicely, complete with patterns.

Onward.

We call the thin string on your guitar the 1st string and the thickest one the 6th string.

The open strings on a standard tuned guitar represent the notes (from 1st string to 6th string) E B G D A E

Also remember that "up the neck" means "up in pitch"...."down the neck" means "down in pitch"

The notes up the first string would be open = E
1st fret = F
2nd fret = F# (or Gb)
3rd fret = G
4th fret = G# (or Ab)
5th fret = A
6th fret = A# (or Bb)
7th fret = B
8th fret = C
9th fret = C# (Db)
10th fret = D
11th fret = D# (Eb)
12th fret = E again
13th fret = F again, etc....you could keep going

You should name the notes up the other strings making sure the open string matches the 12th fret as a self check. The common error is that people forget that B and C don't have a note between them. Neither do E and F. Again, don't worry, it all works out.

Simple Quiz....I'll put the answers in a different post. Remember...we start slowly and master things as we go along. Nothing you ever learn should be difficult.....nothing. Just one little step more involved than something you've already mastered.




Just name the following notes:

1. 1st string at 15th fret

2. 3rd string at 12th fret

3. 2nd string at 8th fret

4. 5th string at 10th fret

5. 4th string at 5th fret

6. 4th string at 4th fret

7. 6th string at 2nd fret

8. 3rd string at 11th fret

9. 3rd string at 5th fret

10. 4th string at 10th fret



you should work toward learning ALL of the notes on your fretboard.....it is really very easy, and I'll post some tips with the answers in the next post.