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Easy Way to Remember 5 Patterns from FW
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 😀
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