Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

[Miffy rules]

Almost all the scales I learn are either in box pattern or 3-note per string. It is necessary to extend it to the whole fretboard though, but it seems rather complicated and tiring to me. [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] So, do you guys have any efficient or easy way to do it?

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Try following the scale up the fretboard horizontaly on one string. Learn the intervals of the scale and practice them on each string forwards and backwards. I don't know if it falls in to the visualization or not but it works. The key is to know where you are at within the key, scale or mode that you are in.

[fuel0707]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Along with Shawn's great suggestion, I think it does help to learn scales in a few other ways. For instance, start with just one scale, say C major (no sharps or flats) or its relative minor key, A minor. Now try starting the C major scale with each of your fingers on your fretting hand. Put another way, start through the scale the first time using your index finger on C. The next time, start with your middle finger, and so on. If you keep fairly strict positioning with your fretting hand, this will require you to play the scale slightly differently each time, which means that you'll have to really learn the scale and that you'll not be just memorizing one pattern.

Another way to practice a scale that can be fun is to actually play 4 notes per string. One way would to be use 4 fingers on each string. But another way that I like is to play three notes and then slide to that fourth note. Playing a scale this way allows you to cover a lot of range on the fretboard.

And as always, practice the scales ascending and descending. In the end, be sure to make music - don't become a "scale monster".

[countandduke]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Learn ALL five positions of the minor pentatonic in as many keys as possible. The minor pentatonic will get you VERY VERY far. There are REALLY cool things you can do with the minor pentatonic scale that will let you sound very bluesy or very jazzy. I ALWAYS use minor pentatonics as a jumping point and I think most players to do. For instance over an Em chord (assuming you are using the Em in the key of G major) you can also play A minor pentatonics and B minor pentatonics over Em. You can also play F# minor pentatonics as well as G# minor pentatonics but use them carefully as they will have a lot of "out" notes. Basically you can really JAZZ things up by playing monor pentatonics over ANY minor chord. Just go up a major third and up an augmented fifth.

[SeventhSon]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Originally posted by Shawn Lutz:
Try following the scale up the fretboard horizontaly on one string. Learn the intervals of the scale and practice them on each string forwards and backwards. I don't know if it falls in to the visualization or not but it works. The key is to know where you are at within the key, scale or mode that you are in.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I know the intervals by sound and by memorization. What I don't know (instantaneously) is the actual note I'm playing. Do you think this is important at all?

[fuel0707]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Originally posted by SeventhSon:
I know the intervals by sound and by memorization. What I don't know (instantaneously) is the actual note I'm playing. Do you think this is important at all?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think it's quite useful to know the names of the notes along each string. It can be quite useful for knowing where to start a scale or lick. It's also very useful if you get interested in learning about chords and making up your own fingerings for them.

Honestly, if you just work at it slowly and surely, you'll be surprised how quickly you can learn the notes. Plus, you'll only need to learn the first 11 frets because once you get to the 12th fret, it all repeats!

[countandduke]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Yes, and no. It's nice to know fairly quickly but just being able to PLAY is the big part. Hearing the relationship between the chord in the rhythm and the note you are currently playing and where you are going from there is good. Try singing what you are playing and eventually you will learn to sing AHEAD of what you are playing and that's the fun part....

[skidd]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Make a chart of the entire neck. Write out all the letter names on the fret board. Now make photo copies (about 20 I guess). Now write out your scales, you will start to see more shapes patterns chords etc. I have this already done (master copy) somewhere, if I came find it I will email to you. I hope this make sense.

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Originally posted by SeventhSon:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Shawn Lutz:
Try following the scale up the fretboard horizontaly on one string. Learn the intervals of the scale and practice them on each string forwards and backwards. I don't know if it falls in to the visualization or not but it works. The key is to know where you are at within the key, scale or mode that you are in.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I know the intervals by sound and by memorization. What I don't know (instantaneously) is the actual note I'm playing. Do you think this is important at all? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not necessairly just as long as you know it works [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I don't think in terms of individual note names when I improvise unless I'm adding harmony to it. As long as I know the key and scale or mode I'm using I don't analyze the individule notes. I make it a point to know the notes of the underlying chords that I'm soloing over though, then it will tell me what will work. But mosyt of the time its just improvise over it for a while and usually I'lll know what I'm going for.

[Miffy rules]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

That'd be super helpful! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] If you find it, please share with us, and I'll give ya the email then! Thanks alot! [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

I usually just stick with 3 or 4 scales and move them around in different positions. I also try to memorize the pattern itself rather than the key or note names so I can "jump in" by ear and have a pretty good idea where I'm supposed to be in the melody.

[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Newc

[skidd]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Originally posted by Miffy rules:
That'd be super helpful! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] If you find it, please share with us, and I'll give ya the email then! Thanks alot! [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Email me at [email protected] I made them into pdf files so they will be easy to use.

[Miffy rules]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

You got mail! [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[skidd]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Check your email

[SeventhSon]

Re: Need advice on visualizing the entire fretboard

Ditto on the "you got mail!" [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]