Hey everyone, Ryan Keaton here

I'd like to schedule a daily guitar practice routine, but I'm not sure where to begin... I've been playing for nearly 10 years, but I don't know my way around the fretboard at all.

My first goal is to learn and memorize the note names and positions along the fretboard, from open position to the 12th fret. How would you suggest doing this?

Also, how long should I aim to practice? I've read some people are crazy and go for hours on end, and others practice in 20 min increments for a total of an hour a day and learn much more effectively...

Hello Ryan,

The method I use is to practice in blocks of time with a timer. Since your goal is to learn your way around the fretboard, I would combine physically playing the notes along with visualization techniques. In order to see in your minds eye where the notes are, requires training the brain more than the fingers. Just like memorizing a route you drive to go to a destination in your car.

Combined with studying theory and harmony, over a period of time you will develop the ability to see where alternative chords and scales are in relation to your current position on the guitar.

In your study look at the scale or block of chromatic notes on a piece of paper. Take the first three frets of the first three strings. Look at them on paper...close your eyes. Visualize them in your head, then play them on the guitar while quietly saying the notes out loud to yourself. Take a section per week (or what ever length of time it takes you to "Have it") until finally you've learned where every note is on the fret board. The goal is to never have to repeat the lesson again, your programing your brain to know the intervals of notes on the guitar.

Just like a good secretary or typist that looks at what their reading instead of the keys on a typewriter, eventually you just know where to put your fingers for each note. This way your free to think about WHAT your playing rather than, "where is the note!"

If you learn visually this should work relatively quickly and once done should stay with you for the rest of your musical life. Some people do not learn visually as easily as others. But the skill can be learned and enhanced.

Best wishes

Geoff

To answer your question about how much. Know that a human brain pays attention only so long. This is why classes don't go on for hours. The teaching establishment long ago recognized that people need a break to walk around and clear the mind before refocusing again on learning.

When I'm memorizing a scale, chords or moving from one position to the next. I usually spend 30 minutes of intense concentration.

When I'm exercising my fingers for strength and stamina, I practice longer with breaks just like someone working out to build muscle.

I think the key is to practice strength and stamina at whatever speed I can play the part perfectly...even if it is painfully slow. Simply because like a body builder one doesn't just start lifting 400lbs from the beginning. If it's physical training of the hands and fingers that I'm practicing I build up from slower speeds until I can eventually play at faster speeds.

Hope my experience is helpful

Geoff

wow, thanks geoff great ideas!! I'll try the visualization tonight!

Here's a lesson from Lee Ritenour:


and
check out the sample courses from Berklee, Guitar Chords 101 and Guitar Scale 101.
They have flash files there that can help you visualize the notes on the fretboard----

Guitar Chords 101: www.berkleemusic.com/welcome/freelessons/guitar/guitarlesson15

Guitar Scale 101: lms0.www.berkleemusic.com/mod/resource/view.php?id=641


hope, it can help. Goodluck 8)

Ryan try these #1. use octaves to find your notes first 6th string 3rd fret (G) to 4th string 5th fret (G) to 2nd string 8th fret (G).
that (#1.) dealt with knowing only the notes on your 6th string.

#2 this one deals with knowledge of note names of the 5th string, let's start with the 5th string 1st fret (Bb) then play the 3rd string at the 4th fret (Bb) on to the 1st string at the 6th fret (Bb)

other than the fact of visual spacing that occurs with the #1 and #2 examples chord fragments such as a D chord in first position being made portable can help. Here is an example.. 3rd string 2nd fret, 2nd string 3rd fret, 1st string 2nd fret, in other words A D F# or yet in other words 5 1 3. If this whole arrangement moves up to (using same chord form [shape]) to the the seven fret position you get this.. 3rd string 7th fret, 2nd string 8th fret, 1st string 7th fret making a G chord you still have the same numeric 5 3 1 but the notes have change to D G B respectively. The trick with this one is first knowing the root note (2nd string) the other knowledge will follow when you realize (with this shape) that the 1st string is always the third (with this shape chord fragment) the 3rd string is always your fifth. This works with all chords and chord fragments. I hope this didn't make your mountain to much higher as it is also as important to know the numerics of your chords/chord shapes as it is to know the note names. on a lighter note as you are playing and improvising.. I know of no one that thinks note names as they play.. more often the thoughts would be of Major-minor-key-251-16251-etc. But use the octave examples in #1 and #2 coupled with the chord frags and you will be on your way to knowing your neck! Kevin Chase. Oh by the way I've been playing for 38 yrs. you should study with it in one hour sittings.