Fretboard Analysis

[Correlli]

Here's an exercise to help you learn the fretboard - Nut to fret 12 in Standard Tuning (concert pitch) E A D G

Way to approach it, would be to type it as it's layed out, BUT no looking at the screen, and no headings. Just the notes.

The logic of doing the whole exercise, is to treat the excercise as a WHOLE, then split it into TWO (vertical, horizontal)... etc

Also, when typing out the fretboards (x and y) notice how the notes are arranged around the note being typed.

Example - flats
     
     B
  G  C  F
     Db
     D

Example - sharps

    B
 G  C  F
    C#
    D

As you can see, Db is not the same as C#


Hope you find my Learning Method invention useful (at least I've never seen it done before ).

    Y
    |
X---|---X
    |
    Y

X and Y Normal - Flat Notes
---------------------------
E  A  D  G
F  Bb Eb Ab
Gb B  E  A
G  C  F  Bb
Ab Db Gb B
A  D  G  C
Bb Eb Ab Db
B  E  A  D
C  F  Bb Eb
Db Gb B  E
D  G  C  F
Eb Ab Db Gb
E  A  D  G

X and Y Normal - Sharp Notes
----------------------------
E  A  D  G
F  A# D# G#
F# B  E  A
G  C  F  A#
G# C# F# B
A  D  G  C
A# D# G# C#
B  E  A  D
C  F  A# D#
C# F# B  E
D  G  C  F
D# G# C# F#
E  A  D  G

X Inverted and Y Normal - Flat Notes
------------------------------------
G  D  A  E
Ab Eb Bb F
A  E  B  Gb
Bb F  C  G
B  Gb Db Ab
C  G  D  A
Db Ab Eb Bb
D  A  E  B
Eb Bb F  C
E  B  Gb Db
F  C  G  D
Gb Db Ab Eb
G  D  A  E

X Inverted and Y Normal - Sharp Notes
-------------------------------------
G  D  A  E
G# D# A# F
A  E  B  F#
A# F  C  G
B  F# C# G#
C  G  D  A
C# G# D# A#
D  A  E  B
D# A# F  C
E  B  F# C#
F  C  G  D
F# C# G# D#
G  D  A  E

X Normal and Y Inverted - Flat Notes
------------------------------------
E  A  D  G
Eb Ab Db Gb
D  G  C  F
Db Gb B  E
C  F  Bb Eb
B  E  A  D
Bb Eb Ab Db
A  D  G  C
Ab Db Gb B
G  C  F  Bb
Gb B  E  A
F  Bb Eb Ab
E  A  D  G

X Normal and Y Inverted - Sharp Notes
-------------------------------------
E  A  D  G
D# G# C# F#
D  G  C  F
C# F# B  E
C  F  A# D#
B  E  A  D
A# D# G# C#
A  D  G  C
G# C# F# B
G  C  F  A#
F# B  E  A
F  A# D# G#
E  A  D  G

X Inverted and Y Inverted - Flat Notes
--------------------------------------
G  D  A  E
Gb Db Ab Eb
F  C  G  D
E  B  Gb Db
Eb Bb F  C
D  A  E  B
Db Ab Eb Bb
C  G  D  A
B  Gb Db Ab
Bb F  C  G
A  E  B  Gb
Ab Eb Bb F
G  D  A  E  

X Inverted and Y Inverted - Sharp Notes
---------------------------------------
G  D  A  E
F# C# G# D#
F  C  G  D
E  B  F# C#
D# A# F  C
D  A  E  B
C# G# D# A#
C  G  D  A
B  F# C# G#
A# F  C  G
A  E  B  F#
G# D# A# F
G  D  A  E

X and Y Normal - Flat Notes
-------------------------------------
G  Ab A  Bb B  C  Db D  Eb E  F  Gb G
D  Eb E  F  Gb G  Ab A  Bb B  C  Db D
A  Bb B  C  Db D  Eb E  F  Gb G  Ab A
E  F  Gb G  Ab A  Bb B  C  Db D  Eb E

X and Y Normal - Sharp Notes
-------------------------------------
G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E  F  F# G
D  D# E  F  F# G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D
A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E  F  F# G  G# A
E  F  F# G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E

X Normal and Y Inverted - Flat Notes
------------------------------------
E  F  Gb G  Ab A Bb  B  C  Db D  Eb E
A  Bb B  C  Db D Eb  E  F  Gb G  Ab A
D  Eb E  F  Gb G Ab  A  Bb B  C  Db D
G  Ab A  Bb B  C Db  D  Eb E  F  Gb G

X Normal and Y Inverted - Sharp Notes
-------------------------------------
E  F  F# G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E
A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E  F  F# G  G# A
D  D# E  F  F# G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D
G  G# A  A# B  C  C# D  D# E  F  F# G

X Inverted and Y Normal - Flat Notes
------------------------------------
G  Gb F  E  Eb D  Db C  B  Bb A  Ab G
D  Db C  B  Bb A  Ab G  Gb F  E  Db D 
A  Ab G  Gb F  E  Eb D  Db C  B  Bb A
E  Db D  Db C  B  Bb A  Ab G  Gb F  E

X Inverted and Y Normal - Sharp Notes
-------------------------------------
G  F# F  E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G
D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G  F# F  E  D# D
A  G# G  F# F  E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A
E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G  F# F  E

X Inverted and Y Inverted - Flat Notes
--------------------------------------
E  Eb D  Db C  B  Bb A  Ab G  Gb F  E  
A  Ab G  Gb F  E  Eb D  Db C  B  Bb A
D  Db C  B  Bb A  Ab G  Gb F  E  Db D
G  Gb F  E  Eb D  Db C  B  Ab A  Gb C

X Inverted and Y Inverted - Sharp Notes
---------------------------------------
E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G  F# F  E 
A  G# G  F# F  E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A
D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G  F# F  E  D# D
G  F# F  E  D# D  C# C  B  A# A  G# G

[edit]
This is a Learning Method, not just a "fretboard" diagram.


[2nd edit]

Here's a bit of a test to determine your fretboard and interval knowledge. I would also suspect, that it may help you when learning to read standard notation.

To complete this small test, you'll have to transpose the tonic Key. Particularly the C# and A#

tonic interval

C    +   b2 =  Db (C#)
Eb   +   b5 = A  (Bbb)
Bb   +   b7 = ?
C#   +   3  =  E# (F)
F#   +   4  = ?
G    +   8  = ?
A#   +   b6 =  F  (Gbb)

The best way to learn anything, is to write it out - repetitively.

[Aaron Saunders]

http://www.cyberfretbass.com/first-f...ames/index.php

It's been up there since before I started playing in 02.

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by Aaron Saunders

http://www.cyberfretbass.com/first-f...ames/index.php

It's been up there since before I started playing in 02.

What?

A fretboard?

I don't see any LEARNING METHOD silly. What I'm proposing is a method to learn the fretboard inside out. You, start at the top, and work you way down though the various fretboard inversions.

Nice try though.

Also, what a revolting website!!! It should be a crime to shove so much advertising at a person. I take it you spend alot of time there?

[dlloyd]

Seems pretty complicated, and might suffer from learning the notes by sequence.

The method that worked for me was to cut out 17 small squares of card, each with a different note name written on it (A to G "white keys" and the # and b enharmonic equivalents for the "black keys") and stick them in a bag.

Decide which string you're going to play, randomly pull out a card and play the note.

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by dlloyd

Seems pretty complicated, and might suffer from learning the notes by sequence.

The method that worked for me was to cut out 17 small squares of card, each with a different note name written on it (A to G "white keys" and the # and b enharmonic equivalents for the "black keys") and stick them in a bag.

Decide which string you're going to play, randomly pull out a card and play the note.

No, disagree.

What you're really learning is the sequence of notes, vertically and horizontally.

When you type out the fretboard notes vertically, you are learning that notes are either the 4th or 5th interval, either side of the note being typed. Also useful for when you get into alt. tunings.

When you type out the fretboard notes horzonitally, you learn the sequence of sharp, flat, or natural note, either side of the note being typed.

Nice try as well.

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

No, disagree.

What you're really learning is the sequence of notes, vertically and horizontally.

When you type out the fretboard notes vertically, you are learning that notes are either the 4th or 5th interval, either side of the note being typed. Also useful for when you get into alt. tunings.

When you type out the fretboard notes horzonitally, you learn the sequence of sharp, flat, or natural note, either side of the note being typed.

Nice try as well.

It might help if you explain your diagrams. Simply drawing out a fretboard then repeating it upside-down, back-to-front and sideways does not qualify as a "learning method"

[steveksux]

It might help if you explain your diagrams. Simply drawing out a fretboard then repeating it upside-down, back-to-front and sideways does not qualify as a "learning method"

Not so, it could come in VERY handy if you accidentally string your bass backwards one day. You must be familiar with the fretboard when its "upside down" to prepare you for any eventuality.

Randy

[Spikeh]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Not so, it could come in VERY handy if you accidentally string your bass backwards one day. You must be familiar with the fretboard when its "upside down" to prepare you for any eventuality.

Randy

Surely in that case you'd just need to remember that it's upside down, and very little to do with the fretboard? I'm not sure any exercise could help you with that muddle up!

Good exercise though ;P

[Whafrodamus]

I learned theory and stuff before I picked up the bass, all I really had to do was apply it. It's important to know where the notes are and stuff, but it's more important to know where notes are relative to other notes. There's a difference between knowing where the amazon river is, and navigating it, ya know!? :-p Before music makes sense on paper and stuff, you need to have it make sense to your mind and ears.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Not so, it could come in VERY handy if you accidentally string your bass backwards one day. You must be familiar with the fretboard when its "upside down" to prepare you for any eventuality.

Randy

Or if you pick it up upside down! That would be like being slipped a spoon with the bowl reversed.

[Phil Smith]

Reading music and playing in as many situations as possible is a far better method of learning the fretboard. My opinion of course.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by Whafrodamus

I learned theory and stuff before I picked up the bass, all I really had to do was apply it. It's important to know where the notes are and stuff, but it's more important to know where notes are relative to other notes. There's a difference between knowing where the amazon river is, and navigating it, ya know!? :-p Before music makes sense on paper and stuff, you need to have it make sense to your mind and ears.

I am going to have to agree with Whafrodamus. Whey you really begin to understand how basslines work, you'll find out that notes on the fingerboard are relative to each other. Once you know what key your in, you're fingers can almost go on auto-pilot if you know the chord progression.

There's a difference between knowing where the amazon river is, and navigating it.

Excellent way to put it!

Joe

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

What?

A fretboard?

I don't see any LEARNING METHOD silly. What I'm proposing is a method to learn the fretboard inside out. You, start at the top, and work you way down though the various fretboard inversions.

Nice try though.

Also, what a revolting website!!! It should be a crime to shove so much advertising at a person. I take it you spend alot of time there?

Not since my first month of playing -- their music theory section's been "under construction" since before I started...

Nice try yourself, good sir. Quite the witty riposte.

[JimmyM]

Kiwi, I dig what your intention is with your exercise, but I think this is something you might want to have the student do instead of you giving it to the student as a package to study. Like have the student look at your first example, then have them do subsequent examples with you giving them maybe the first 2 or 3 lines as a starter. I agree that the way to learn something like fretboard command is by repetition, but if you've done the repetiton for the student already, the student doesn't really learn.

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by dlloyd

It might help if you explain your diagrams. Simply drawing out a fretboard then repeating it upside-down, back-to-front and sideways does not qualify as a "learning method"

I thought you said cycle of fifths is basic knowledge. Did you not?

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Kiwi, I dig what your intention is with your exercise, but I think this is something you might want to have the student do instead of you giving it to the student as a package to study. Like have the student look at your first example, then have them do subsequent examples with you giving them maybe the first 2 or 3 lines as a starter. I agree that the way to learn something like fretboard command is by repetition, but if you've done the repetiton for the student already, the student doesn't really learn.

considering that I know how think, your post is irrelevant.

[spc]

[quote=Kiwi Kid]

tonic interval

C    +   b2 = 
Eb   +   b5 =
Bb   +   b7 =
C#   +   3  = 
F#   +   4  = 
G    +   8  = 
A#   +   b6 =

Kiwi,
Can you explain this chart? For example. the first one, are you saying: C + b2, in other words a second away from C is D, so Db?

It seems like you're trying really hard to help other people, which is cool, but I think you are overcomplicating things.

[Bassist4Life]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

considering that I know how think, your post is irrelevant.

Kiwi Kid,

This is not the first time I've seen a post like this from you. I don't know how much it is helping you that you are being so defensive.

TB'ers are giving you their honest feedback. Feedback is good because it lets you know how your information is reaching people. Consider it a valuable way to make adjustments.

Don't take feedback as a personal attack. TB'ers (in general) are really great people that want to help out. This is a really corny saying, but I believe that it's true.

"People aren't going to care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Joe

[hateater]

Hmm... I second the cat that said that reading charts and just playing everything you can get your hands on is the best way to learn the fretboard. If you want to do something complicated, check out Pat Martino's whacked out diminished system. Instead of a circle of fifths, he has some other odd shape that works out somehow. I have a friend who loves writing out odd charts on graph paper, and he knows the fretboard VERY well as a result. However, all of the charts and designs drawn all over the graph paper didn't teach the guy how to play- he is horrible. Stick to learning the traditional way.

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

I thought you said cycle of fifths is basic knowledge. Did you not?

Yep, but that has nothing to do with your original post...

Edit:

Looking at the first three lines of the diagram...

 E  A  D  G
F  Bb Eb Ab
Gb B  E  A

E, A, D, G

That follows the circle of fourths (or fifths in reverse), as does the second line...

F, Bb, Eb, Ab,

When you come to the third line, however...

Gb B E A

You have an augmented third, then two intervals of fourths.

Following the circle of fourths, you'd have to name them Gb, Cb, Fb, Bbb. Enharmonic equivalence does not mean interval names are interchangable.