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  • Easy Way to Remember 5 Patterns from FW

    Posted by N-lightMike on October 3, 2022 at 11:36 am

    We were shown 5 patterns to learn the notes on the Fretboard in the first lesson of Fret Wiz. I could never remember those patterns until I figured out the simple math. And trust me, this math is as simple as what we learned in grade school.

    Ok, let’s start by looking at the alphabet we were shown. A to B is 2, B to C is 1, C to D is 2, D to E is 2, E to F is 1, F to G is 2, and G to A is 2. Add that up. 2+1+2+2+1+2+2 = 12. That means when we go up 12 half steps, or frets, that is 1 octave and is the same note we started on.

    Now, the distance from the 6th string to the 5th string is the same as going up 5 half steps, or 5 frets. If you go up 5 frets on the 6th string, it’s the same note as the open 5th string. In fact, that is the same for every string except the distance from the 3rd string to the 2nd string, which is the same as going up 4 frets.

    Let’s apply this to the first pattern.

    Go from the 6th string to the 5th string, that’s 5 frets. Go up to the 4th string, that’s 5 more for a total of 10. Then go up 2 more frets along the 4th string moving toward the body of the guitar, and you have gone up 12 half steps, or 12 frets.

    Notice that “going up” means going up in pitch, which is toward the body of the guitar or moving across the strings toward the floor. “Going down” means going down in pitch which is toward the head stock or moving across the strings toward the ceiling.

    If we realize that one octave is 12 frets (or half steps) and that the string space is 5 frets, we don’t have to remember that first pattern. We can easily find it. Go across the strings, 5, 10, now move up 2 frets toward the body of the guitar, 11, 12, Voila. Same note. This works for 6th to 5th string, 5th to 4th string, and 4th to 3rd string because all those spaces (intervals) are 5 frets.

    The 2nd pattern? Move from the 6th string to the 5th, 4th, 3rd; that’s 5+5+5 = 15 up, go down 3 frets (toward the head stock), 14, 13, 12, Voila. Same note. This wasn’t shown, but we can start on the 5th sting and do the same thing now that we know the simple math. Go from the 5th to the 4th, 3rd, 2nd; that’s 5+5+4 = 14 up, now only go down 2 frets toward the head stock, 13, 12, Voila. Same note. And we can start on the 4th string and go to the 3rd, 2nd, 1st; that’s 5+4+5 = 14 up, and again go down 2 frets, 13, 12, Voila. Same note.

    And the last pattern starting from the “D” or 4th string? Go from the 4th to the 3rd, 2nd; that’s 5+4 = 9 up, go up 3 more, 10, 11, 12, Voila. Same note.

    And finally, how about the high E string being the same note as the low E string? Ok, starting on the 6th string and going to the 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st string we have 5+5+5+4+5 = 24; that’s 2 x 12; so it’s exactly 2 octaves, which is still, voila, the same note.

    This may help some people, and I say to those people, you are very welcome. 😄

    This may confuse some people, and I say to those people, I don’t mean to cause you confusion, so just know that it is unimportant to understand this. If this was necessary, Tony would have gone over it. 😉

    But finally, let me say to anyone who has questions, I’d love to help. Ask away. 🤔😃

    This helped me connect the dots. Until I saw this, I never really got it. Once I did see this, I very quickly was able to see the entire fretboard (by then, I knew all the intervals, not just the octave). So I freely give this to anyone that can benefit from it. 🤗😎

    MG 😀

    N-lightMike replied 2 years, 4 months ago 5 Members · 13 Replies
  • 13 Replies
  • MarkD66

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Your explanation was very helpful to remembering the patterns…. If I start to forget the patterns all I have to do is the math… :). Thanks Mike

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by  MarkD66.
    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 4, 2022 at 12:17 am

      I never did remember the patterns. I kept meaning to, but by the time I wanted to use it, I had forgotten it. I didn’t find a use for the patterns until I was exploring and used “the math” to find harmonies. It wasn’t until after I found these octaves that I remembered they had been shown to me. Everyone learns in their own way.

      MG 😀

  • Kitman

    Member
    October 4, 2022 at 6:26 am

    Thanks @N-lightMike for the deep dive on the map. the math makes total sense! I will need to read your analysis a few more times…slowly and thoughtfully. Thanks for sharing!

    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 4, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      You are welcome @Kitman . I never could remember the patterns, nothing to anchor them in my memory. But the math, for me, was easy.

      You only have to remember 2 things that are tied to everything in music theory.

      1) The octave is 12 frets.

      2) The distance between the strings is 5 frets.

      The 1st thing is pretty easy and something you can use all the time. The 2nd thing has 1 exception, going to the 2nd is 4 frets. Starting from 6, the distance is 5, 5, 5, 4, 5. I remember patterns and numbers pretty easily, so for me, that’s like a “key”.

      Now, let’s tie it in even easier. You must know how to tune your strings in “relative tuning”? You fret the 6 string on the 5th fret and strike the 6 and 5 string, right? And you go down the pairs like that. But the exception is you fret the 3rd string on the 4th fret to strike the 3 and 2 strings. Those are your distances.

      Going up to the A string is the same as going up 5 frets on the 6 string. Going up to the B string is the same as going up 4 frets on the 3 string.

      I hope this helps. If you see this, you will realize that’s it super simple and will open up the fretboard. At least, it did for me.

      MG 😀

  • Kitman

    Member
    October 4, 2022 at 1:21 pm

    It does help @N-lightMike . I had used the 5th fret and 4th (or 7th and 8th if you are starting with strong 1) The relative fret tuning technique for many, many years and also understood the octave are the 12th fret. However I had never made the connection you made above to “see”, reinforce or remember the patterns to help identify or the same notes on different strings. Thanks! 😎

    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 4, 2022 at 10:41 pm

      👍😊

      Your experience seems to be pretty much the same as mine. I knew the pieces for years. I just never put it together. It wasn’t until I got into the intervals and realized they were the “secret” to music theory and they explained the “magic” of music that I wanted to figure out the intervals on the strings.

      After I started doing it, I realized I had been shown these things a bunch, but they were never explained as the “simple” math that I have discovered.

      Anyway, I’m really glad this is helpful to you.

      MG 😀

  • Marty73

    Member
    October 5, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    🤞

    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 6, 2022 at 12:04 pm

      I’m not sure what that hand symbol means, @Marty69 , but I hope this little detour into some simple fretboard math has helped you.

      MG 😀

  • N-lightMike

    Member
    October 6, 2022 at 12:14 pm

    Here is a diagram I made to help with understanding the intervals moving across the strings.

    Enjoy, MG 😀

  • MarkD66

    Member
    October 6, 2022 at 6:27 pm

    Mike this is fantastic! Im more of a math type of guy and if I forget the patterns I can do the math and find the patterns. Thank you!

    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 6, 2022 at 11:51 pm

      Yeah, @MarkD66 , I just work out what notes are where all the time now by the math. And the more I do it, the more automatic it becomes for me. I can do chord tones, roots, 3rds and 5ths, I can do scales, it all just makes sense to me now. I’m really glad it’s helping you.

      MG 😀

  • Carnelia

    Member
    October 8, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    Wow. For those of us with lousy visual memory, this is great. I’m giving it a “favorite”. Thank you!!!

    • N-lightMike

      Member
      October 9, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      I am really happy this is working for you @Carnelia . I hadn’t thought of things in the way of learning or memory type. That’s an interesting idea. I just know that this fretboard “math” has helped me like no other technique I’ve tried.

      Thank you for letting me know it’s working for you. I have started figuring out the “math” as I play scales that I have known for a long time. Yet, I find that I really understand them like I never have before when I “do the math”. I really don’t understand, I just know it’s working for me.

      Here is another post I made covering the same concept in a little bit different way:

      https://tonypolecastro.com/family-forums/topic/fw-2-across-the-strings/

      I hope this helps.

      MG 😀

      FW 2 – Across the Strings

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