What do you think?
Rate this book
Guitar: How to Memorize the Fretboard: Quickly and Easily Learn the Notes on the Guitar Neck
Quickly and easily learn to locate any note on the neck like it is second nature. Unlike the piano, the same note can be played on the guitar in more than one location making their locations seem daunting to learn. This book teaches you to instantly recognize and know the location of every note on the guitar neck. How to Memorize the Guitar Fretboard teaches you essential basic theory and musical patterns so you actually understand how the guitar as a whole functions. Why wait? With free delivery right to your device, you don't even need a kindle to read this book! You can have it sent to your PC, Tablet or Smartphone. No more excuses, master the guitar neck today and play like a pro! With nearly 1,000,000 copies sold, Fundamental Changes bring you the highest rated guitar books available on Amazon. Scroll up to Buy Now and make a huge difference to your playing.
- GenresMusicNonfictionReference
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2016
1141 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 31, 2021
Well, you can find value here regarding how to figure out where notes are on all the strings on the fretboard, so for some people I can envision this being a useful book. As someone already familiar with how the notes are laid out on a keyboard - in particular, which pairs of notes are separated by a half-step instead of a whole-step - there didn't seem to be much help offered in this very short book. It seemed the information was mostly of the "this string is tuned to this note, the note names repeat when you get to the 12th fret, so just start reciting the notes along the fretboard till you find what you're looking for."
I mean there's a little more information in here than that, pointing out some relationship between each string and its neighbors, for example, but a lot of it amounts to suggesting what is probably obvious to an experienced learner: do things like test yourself, and make some flashcards to test yourself and practice further. I was expecting there to be a little more systematic advice for learning the notes, such as some kind of mnemonics for example, rather than essentially to brute-force the data and then practice a lot. Those suggestions are not wrong in that they should work, but they don't seem to offer much benefit over what you'd come up with on your own if you thought you should learn this information.
I mean there's a little more information in here than that, pointing out some relationship between each string and its neighbors, for example, but a lot of it amounts to suggesting what is probably obvious to an experienced learner: do things like test yourself, and make some flashcards to test yourself and practice further. I was expecting there to be a little more systematic advice for learning the notes, such as some kind of mnemonics for example, rather than essentially to brute-force the data and then practice a lot. Those suggestions are not wrong in that they should work, but they don't seem to offer much benefit over what you'd come up with on your own if you thought you should learn this information.
July 25, 2023
Good fretboard guide for newbies
I had already figured out this on my own as a guitar player. It didn't really teach me anything new. However I would probably recommend it to a newbie who is looking to figure out the guitar.
I had already figured out this on my own as a guitar player. It didn't really teach me anything new. However I would probably recommend it to a newbie who is looking to figure out the guitar.
December 4, 2017
Quick read for quick fluency
This book really helped me visualize and learn how to pick out a note quickly and tie it together with all the other strings and octaves.
The exercises were great, I only wish there were more. He does give some good ideas, so with a little creativity and some index cards from the local drugstore I made some quick flash cards to use with a metronome.
Worth the $.
This book really helped me visualize and learn how to pick out a note quickly and tie it together with all the other strings and octaves.
The exercises were great, I only wish there were more. He does give some good ideas, so with a little creativity and some index cards from the local drugstore I made some quick flash cards to use with a metronome.
Worth the $.
November 28, 2018
Solid, concise fretboard advice
This book doesn't go crazy on fretboard theory, it just gives you a good, solid point from which to start from, and gives you a few different ways to look at the fretboard so that you can begin to memorize all the notes. A worthwhile, quick read for a beginner.
This book doesn't go crazy on fretboard theory, it just gives you a good, solid point from which to start from, and gives you a few different ways to look at the fretboard so that you can begin to memorize all the notes. A worthwhile, quick read for a beginner.
January 31, 2025
Better lessons for free on YouTube
I have many other Joseph Alexander books and I like them, but this one is not worth the cost. To be completely candid, this was at best equivalent to a blog post. I have seen better fretboard memorization content on YouTube for free. Do not waste your money on this.
I have many other Joseph Alexander books and I like them, but this one is not worth the cost. To be completely candid, this was at best equivalent to a blog post. I have seen better fretboard memorization content on YouTube for free. Do not waste your money on this.
December 11, 2018
A good system to begin learning the fretboard
The hardest part of any task is getting started, and this book gives the initial nudge, and a sound foundation for future more advanced playing.
The hardest part of any task is getting started, and this book gives the initial nudge, and a sound foundation for future more advanced playing.
March 18, 2019
Great guitar reference!
Great reference for learning the notes on the entire guitar fretboard. Simplifies the memorization process by offering a systematic method of linking the finger positions on each string to one another.
Great reference for learning the notes on the entire guitar fretboard. Simplifies the memorization process by offering a systematic method of linking the finger positions on each string to one another.
May 22, 2019
Clear, concise summary of fretboard tricks
I’ve seen videos on how to derive notes on different strings but was looking for written explanation. I liked the explanation and diagrams. Concise and to the point and with some exercises to master it!
I’ve seen videos on how to derive notes on different strings but was looking for written explanation. I liked the explanation and diagrams. Concise and to the point and with some exercises to master it!
August 25, 2019
Learning the fretboard
This is a great book for beginners, all set out in a logical and understandable manner. I really like their series of books that are very informative many of which have audio to go with them.
This is a great book for beginners, all set out in a logical and understandable manner. I really like their series of books that are very informative many of which have audio to go with them.
September 12, 2019
Excellent, and clear explanations on fretboard memorization tips.
Clear, easy to understand tips on fretboard memorization. Practice with the tools he gives you and you will figure it out in no time at all!
Clear, easy to understand tips on fretboard memorization. Practice with the tools he gives you and you will figure it out in no time at all!
April 23, 2020
Usually Alexander’s books are pretty good, whether for beginners or more advanced people. This however looked more like a pamphlet than a book. The information wasn’t the most useful one I guess. Certainly there are better books from this collection.
September 22, 2020
Quick fix
I had been having difficulty memorizing the names of notes on Guitar...until I bought this book. It's so easy and I have to say that it quickly breaks it down to learn in a fun way. I thoroughly enjoy this book. Its freakin awesome. Thanks Joseph!
I had been having difficulty memorizing the names of notes on Guitar...until I bought this book. It's so easy and I have to say that it quickly breaks it down to learn in a fun way. I thoroughly enjoy this book. Its freakin awesome. Thanks Joseph!
January 5, 2021
Review on How to memorize the fretboard quickly and easily learn the notes on the guitar neck
Quick and easy reference. Made the fretboard logical.
Well written and easy to follow. Short and to the point. Recommended
Quick and easy reference. Made the fretboard logical.
Well written and easy to follow. Short and to the point. Recommended
June 30, 2017
Albeit a teeny tiny read, it was still a waste of time.
September 2, 2017
Easy to understand and memorize.
Must read for all beginners. Book explains fundamentals of fret board in the easiest possible ways. Curious to read other books from Joseph
Must read for all beginners. Book explains fundamentals of fret board in the easiest possible ways. Curious to read other books from Joseph
February 8, 2018
Great learning Methods
He writes so that technical information is easier to understand and can be applied in a practical manner . There is also really good exercises to follow.
He writes so that technical information is easier to understand and can be applied in a practical manner . There is also really good exercises to follow.
April 10, 2018
A good book
I enjoy these books by the author they have helped me a lot with my guitar and music .A big thanks
I enjoy these books by the author they have helped me a lot with my guitar and music .A big thanks
April 26, 2018
Pattern recognition
Good little book on helping to learn the various patterns of notes on the fret board. Exercises are thought provoking
Good little book on helping to learn the various patterns of notes on the fret board. Exercises are thought provoking
March 17, 2019
Provides some good techniques for learning how to locate notes up and down the neck. With practice the fretboard can be learned pretty quickly.
June 6, 2019
A Great Starter
This book Provides an excellent introduction to the fretboard, especially those of us transitioning from a piano keyboard. Highly recommended.
This book Provides an excellent introduction to the fretboard, especially those of us transitioning from a piano keyboard. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2019
Great place to start for beginners.
The information is laid out very simply. The exercises are effective and easy to set up. I would recommend this book for beginners.
The information is laid out very simply. The exercises are effective and easy to set up. I would recommend this book for beginners.
February 17, 2020
Great DIY learning!
The book is self taught and easy to follow. There are also links available for other related skills. It saves me some bucks to enroll for music class.
The book is self taught and easy to follow. There are also links available for other related skills. It saves me some bucks to enroll for music class.
April 6, 2020
Covers basics of understanding the fretboard. Great for beginners and skillful players who want to increase their knowledge of guitar.
April 23, 2020
Fret made easy
Simple system which breaks down the fret broad into easily recognisable and repeated patterns. Transforms a daunting process into easy to remember chunks.
Simple system which breaks down the fret broad into easily recognisable and repeated patterns. Transforms a daunting process into easy to remember chunks.
April 30, 2020
Good tips
A brief walkthrough of patterns and explanation. The foundational info is helpful, but I found the exercises and practice tips most helpful.
A brief walkthrough of patterns and explanation. The foundational info is helpful, but I found the exercises and practice tips most helpful.
May 9, 2020
Makes it nice and simple
Good quick way of learning the notes, we'll explained and easy to follow, like everything with learning guitar practice is key
Good quick way of learning the notes, we'll explained and easy to follow, like everything with learning guitar practice is key
May 16, 2020
Short and effective
This book wastes no time or words. Straight to the point with the great tips and methods for navigating the fretboard.
This book wastes no time or words. Straight to the point with the great tips and methods for navigating the fretboard.
May 17, 2020
Easy to Understand and Implement
The concepts are easy to digest and the drills are very helpful. As a somewhat beginner I found the book very useful overall.
The concepts are easy to digest and the drills are very helpful. As a somewhat beginner I found the book very useful overall.
May 28, 2020
Short but useful. Made me understand the fretboard system easily.
October 15, 2020
No Need To Fret
This book is a nice review of the fret board. I liked some of the tricks to reference parts of the fretboard I was less steady on.
This book is a nice review of the fret board. I liked some of the tricks to reference parts of the fretboard I was less steady on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews