Fretboard Basics

    Note Names

    Natural notes (7):

    Cdo
    Dre
    Emi
    Ffa
    Gsol
    Ala
    Bsi

    Sharps/Flats (5):

    C#=Db
    D#=Eb
    F#=Gb
    G#=Ab
    A#=Bb

    Standard Tuning

    1
    E

    High

    2
    B

    3
    G

    4
    D

    5
    A

    6
    E

    Low

    String 6 (thickest) → String 1 (thinnest): E A D G B E

    How the Fretboard Works

    • 1Each fret = +1 semitone (half step)
    • 2Fret 0 (open string) = the tuning note
    • 3Fret 12 = same note as open (one octave higher)
    • 4Fret markers: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 (double dot)

    First Position (Frets 0-5)

    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    E
    E
    F
    F#
    G
    G#
    A
    B
    B
    C
    C#
    D
    D#
    E
    G
    G
    G#
    A
    A#
    B
    C
    D
    D
    D#
    E
    F
    F#
    G
    A
    A
    A#
    B
    C
    C#
    D
    E
    E
    F
    F#
    G
    G#
    A