fretgrinder's nice 5 string fretboard charts

fretgrinder (c) 2002
Five string bass fretboard chart:



ready to print in black & white
on an a4 page.
19 x 26 cm at 250 dpi

directions:

1 - copy the file "fretgrinder-5.jpg"
somewhere. In the example I have
used "C:/".

2 - from the Start menu choose
Start --> Run. Type
"mspaint C:/fretgrinder-5.jpg"
and hit Ok.

3 - this will open the file within
MS Paint, which ships with windows.
Choose File --> Print and specify
the number of copies you want.

alternatively use your favourite imaging
program to open and print "fretgrinder-5.jpg".


___________________________________


I've just made a nice looking and practical
5-string bass fretboard chart. You can
download a ready to print a4 version for free.


The format is like so:

- three on on a page vertically, each with
room for a description or notes

- covers frets 0-22 on a five string tuned
B-E-A-D-G.

- fret maker dots shown on side of fingerboard;
orresponding notes have a darker outline. Frets
3,5,7,9,12,15,17 are numbered.

- notes are shown shere you actually fret them -
just behind each fret.

- string thickness is shown

- the notes are written out in a light grey, so
you can write other stuff over them or trace
them with a pen. This means the chart is well
suited to mapping chords, etc. You can write
your own shorthand decription of a note
(eg "Min3" for a minor third) and see them
in the context of the rest of the fretboard.

- the circles can be neatly filled in with
highlighters to map scales, fingerings, etc.

- all notes are represented as naturals and sharps,
but you can, for example, change an A# to a Bb with
a pencil.

- Four stringers can just cross out the extra
string for now. If a couple of people ask I'll
make one for four-stringers. Any stranger requests
will be taken into consideration.

- i just made it. If there are any errors on it or
other feedback please post here.

- this chart may be freely distributed in the file
"fretgrinder_5str.zip" as long as
none of the files is altered in any way, this
document is included, and no money
changes hands.

If I get some time I could make a flash chord & scale
chart (this was drawn in Flash 5.0). That could be
useful ... especially if i added sound clips ...


no spam please.
fretgrinder@droppinghoney.com
(c) David Lee 2002

 

OK ... I fixed it ... there was a wrong note that threw things out past the 12 fret on the d string ... apologies, i was slightly intoxicated when i designed it. Enjoy!! Any feedback?

 

This is what I'm doing with a highlighter once they're printed out - it's why I made the notes circular and "hollow". You can then go over the notes in the scale with a pen if you want.

I would make individual files for each scale but i figured:
a) too much work
b) too many largish downloads
c) better to wait until i get around to an interactive scale / mode chart / metronome in flash ...

Hope you find it helpful!

 

I've made a prototype interactive version. Here's the URL:

http://www.droppinghoney.com/fretgrinder5.swf

It's very bare bones as yet. Click to turn the notes on & off. I was going to put in predefined scales, modes etc in but i figured this was easier and more flexible (and does something a book can't). I will add "presets" later. Also on my developer's wish list (in order of likeliness) are:

- a nicer design
- a metronome with adjustable BPM
- sound (sequentially play notes in the scale over one octave, so if you're inventing your own scales you can hear what they will sound like)
- addition of a pallette to choose note colour, or ability to choose the root & automatically colour code the root, fifth, minor / major 3rd, etc.

If it's a little hard to read, right click to zoom in. It's a 22 fret fretboard; you only really need 12.

Feedback appreciated,

- Fretgrinder.

________________

PS if anyone could let me know their results with printing out scales (right click menu) I'd appreciate it. I don't have a printer.

 

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