Unlocking the melodic mysteries of the guitar fretboard can seem like a daunting task for many beginners and even for some who are more advanced. With its series of metal strips and six strings, the guitar’s fretboard might feel like an enigma waiting to be decoded.
What are the notes on a guitar fretboard?
The notes on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar fretboard range from E on the open 6th string to D#/Eb on the 11th fret of the 1st string, covering all the musical notes in between. Each fret represents a semitone (or half step), and the pattern of notes repeats every 12 frets, signifying one octave.
Understanding this basic component of the guitar is key to mastering the instrument and truly expressing your musical ideas. In this article, we will examine the fretboard, providing a comprehensive guide to the notes of the guitar.
From the low E string to the high E, and every semitone in between, we’ll walk you through the layout of a standard-tuned guitar.
So grab your guitar, and let’s dive into the world of musical notes that it holds!
How Many Notes Are There On The Guitar?
The number of notes on a guitar depends on the number of frets and strings it has. A standard guitar has 6 strings, and each string has 21-24 frets.
Each fret corresponds to a different note, but keep in mind that there is a repetition of notes across strings and frets.
There are 12 unique musical notes (A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab) in Western music that repeat in cycles called octaves.
On a standard 6-string guitar with 22 frets:
- Each string will have 23 unique pitches (including the open string), as the 24th fret doubles the pitch of the open string, starting a new octave.
- Multiply that by 6 strings, you get 138 pitches in total.
However, several of these pitches are repeated on different strings. For example, the note at the 5th fret of the 6th string (low E) is the same as the open note of the 5th string (A). So while there are 138 “places” to play notes, there are fewer unique pitches.
In terms of unique pitches (each note at a different pitch level), there are 49 on a standard 22-fret guitar. This number can be calculated by multiplying the 12 unique notes by the 4 octaves a guitar can reach and adding one extra for the incomplete octave.
The total number can vary depending on the specific guitar, how many frets it has, and how it’s tuned.
Although many notes are repeated on multiple strings, each string will have its own tonal characteristics.
What Are The Notes On A Guitar Fretboard?
The notes on a guitar fretboard are organized by semitones (also known as half steps). Starting from an open string (i.e., no frets being pressed), each subsequent fret increases the pitch of the note by one semitone. You can learn more about steps and intervals here.
In the standard EADGBE tuning, the notes on each string from the open string up to the 12th fret (one octave higher) are as follows:
- E string (thickest, 6th string): E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
- A string (5th string): A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A
- D string (4th string): D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D
- G string (3rd string): G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G,
- B string (2nd string): B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
- E string (thinnest, 1st string): E, F, F#/Gb, G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B, C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Here’s the information arranged in a table format:
| String (Tuning) | Open | 1st Fret | 2nd Fret | 3rd Fret | 4th Fret | 5th Fret | 6th Fret | 7th Fret | 8th Fret | 9th Fret | 10th Fret | 11th Fret | 12th Fret |
| E (6th) | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E |
| A (5th) | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A |
| D (4th) | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D |
| G (3rd) | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G |
| B (2nd) | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B |
| E (1st) | E | F | F#/Gb | G | G#/Ab | A | A#/Bb | B | C | C#/Db | D | D#/Eb | E |
Guitar Fretboard Notes Chart
Each column represents a fret on the guitar, and each row represents a string. The entries in the table represent the note played when the corresponding fret is pressed on the corresponding string.
Remember, each fret corresponds to a half step, so you can use this as a guide to finding the note at any fret. For example, if you know the 3rd fret of the E string is G, then the 4th fret will be G#/Ab, the 5th fret will be A, and so on.
This pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so the 13th fret is the same note as the 1st fret, the 14th fret is the same as the 2nd fret, and so forth, just one octave higher.
Also, note that in music, the note after G#/Ab is A (not H), and after B, it goes back to C (not A). There is no such note as H in the Western musical scale.
Finally, remember that this is for standard tuning (EADGBE). If you use a different tuning, the notes will be arranged differently but follow the same pattern.
What Fret Is A On Guitar?
The note A can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 5th fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 7th fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 2nd fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 10th fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 5th fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 17th fret on the low E string is also an A because it’s 12 frets higher than the 5th fret. Similarly, the 24th fret on the A string is an A because it’s 12 frets higher than the 12th fret.
What Fret Is B On Guitar?
The note B can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 7th fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 2nd fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 9th fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 4th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 7th fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 19th fret on the low E string is also a B because it’s 12 frets higher than the 7th fret. Similarly, the 14th fret on the A string is a B because it’s 12 frets higher than the 2nd fret.
What Fret Is C On Guitar?
The note C can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 8th fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 3rd fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 10th fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 5th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 1st fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 8th fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 20th fret on the low E string is also a C because it’s 12 frets higher than the 8th fret. Similarly, the 15th fret on the A string is a C because it’s 12 frets higher than the 3rd fret.
What Fret Is D On Guitar?
The note D can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 10th fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 5th fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 7th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 3rd fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 10th fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 22nd fret on the low E string is also a D because it’s 12 frets higher than the 10th fret. Similarly, the 17th fret on the A string is a D because it’s 12 frets higher than the 5th fret.
What Fret Is E On Guitar?
The note E can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 7th fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 2nd fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 9th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 5th fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 24th fret on the low E string is also an E because it’s 12 frets higher than the 12th fret. Similarly, the 19th fret on the A string is an E because it’s 12 frets higher than the 7th fret.
What Fret Is F On Guitar?
The note F can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 1st fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 8th fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 3rd fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s on the 10th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 6th fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 1st fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 13th fret on the low E string is also an F because it’s 12 frets higher than the 1st fret. Similarly, the 20th fret on the A string is an F because it’s 12 frets higher than the 8th fret.
What Fret Is G On Guitar?
The note G can be found in several places on a standard-tuned (EADGBE) guitar:
- On the low E string (6th string), it’s on the 3rd fret.
- On the A string (5th string), it’s on the 10th fret.
- On the D string (4th string), it’s on the 5th fret.
- On the G string (3rd string), it’s the open string (no frets pressed), and also on the 12th fret.
- On the B string (2nd string), it’s on the 8th fret.
- On the high E string (1st string), it’s on the 3rd fret.
Remember, the pattern repeats after the 12th fret, so for any note you can play in the first 12 frets, you can also play 12 frets higher.
For example, the 15th fret on the low E string is also a G because it’s 12 frets higher than the 3rd fret. Similarly, the 22nd fret on the A string is a G because it’s 12 frets higher than the 10th fret.
Conclusion
Understanding the notes on a guitar fretboard is a fundamental aspect of becoming a proficient guitarist. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the fretboard, you unlock the ability to express your creativity and musicality in new and exciting ways.
Remember, the fretboard isn’t an insurmountable challenge—it’s a roadmap to musical exploration, and each note is a potential stop on your journey.
As we’ve seen, whether you’re playing an A on the low E string or an F# on the B string, knowing your way around the fretboard can make all the difference.
With practice and patience, you’ll soon find yourself navigating the guitar fretboard with ease, ready to express your unique musical voice. So keep exploring, keep practicing, and most importantly, keep making music!
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