Names of notes on the neck
By Shawn Bradshaw

Even though this chart of notes was a pain to make. Don't use it! Move on down the page and learn how to figure out the names of the notes yourself. This chart is just a reference.

The first thing you should do is learn the names of the notes on the 6th and 5th string. This is because you will need to know the names of these notes to play any moveable chords where the root is on the 6th or 5th strings.( see power chords & barre chords )

The first step is to memorize the following words of wisdom.

All natural notes (A B C D E F G) are a whole step (2 frets) apart, except between E-F and B-C which are a half step (1 fret) apart.

*Although it may seem stupid, make sure you know the 1st 7 letters in the alphabet forwards and backwards. Most people have a little trouble with the backwards part. Once you reach G in the musical alphabet, you start over again with A. (no H's in this universe)

With this information you can find any note on the neck of the guitar, as long as you know the names of the open strings.( 6th=E, 5th=A, 4th=D, 3rd=G, 2nd=B, 1st=E )

Remember that the 1st string is the thinnest string, and the 6th is the thickest.

Names of the notes on the 6th and 5th strings