How You Should Learn The Fret Board

When learning the notes on the fret board, there are two common methods for learning: position playing and pattern playing. Position playing involves learning the note of the fret board relative to set position, the fret where the index finger is placed. Eventually with position playing, you would know where all the notes are relative to every position on the guitar and be able to shift position freely. So, you would be able to play across the neck and in any key. Pattern playing involves dividing the fret board into various patterns of fingerings, which are normally based on the diatonic scales. Eventually with pattern playing, you would be able to switch between each pattern freely and, thus, be able to be able to play in any key and across the neck.

Both position playing and pattern playing offer the ability to play anywhere on the neck and in any key, but each have their own pros and cons. In this article, I will list three aspects of guitar playing that position and pattern playing affect and discuss which method is better for each of the aspects.

Playing Chromatic Notes

With pattern playing, you never learn the absolute note on the guitar; instead, you normally learn patterns based on scales, and within the pattern, you normally learn the scale degrees of the scale you are playing. So, instead of just being able to think of the note you want to play, you have to think is the note a sharp or flat version of which scale degree making playing any chromatic notes a multi step process.

With position playing, you learn the where the notes are located regardless of the key. So, if you want to play a chromatic note, you just have to find it on the fret board instead of having to relate it back to the key of the song. Thus, playing a chromatic note is a single step process with position playing.

Reading Standard Music Notation

If you have no interest in learning reading standard music notation, then this is not important for you. Otherwise, it is very important for you since most people find the guitar very hard to sight-read on.

Similar to playing chromatic notes, reading standard notation is a multi step process in pattern playing. When you see a note on the staff with pattern playing, you first have figure out which scale degree the note is and then find the location on the fret board.

With position playing, reading standard notation is a single step process. As soon as you see the note on the staff, you just have to find the note on the fret board and then you can easily play the note.

Learning Time

While there are several different methods used to divide the neck with pattern playing, a popular system, the CAGED system, have you learn five different patterns that each consist of about sixteen notes, so pattern playing can be learned quickly.

With position playing, you normally have to learn at least nine different positions. With each position covering all six string and normally a six fret stretch, you have about thirty-six notes to learn per a position, so position playing can take you a while to learn.

While there are more aspects of guitar playing that position playing and pattern playing affect, there are some of the major aspect that should affect your decision of choosing a method to use to learn the fret board. Also, remember that you can combine both methods and take the parts of each that you feel works best for you. No matter which method you choose. If you stick to the one you chose, you will eventually master the fret board.