#214 - 5 Steps to Complete Fretboard Mastery + 30-DAY THEORY COURSE
Added 2022-02-25 15:30:00 +0000 UTCTime for this month's wishlist winner! You guys and girls voted for a 30-Day Beginner Theory Course - so I'm very happy to present it to you, just in time for the weekend :)
Here are all your filesfor the course, please make sure not to skip the instructional videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1APldqxyGRT9f23OM4ySHa3r8O1uyqzI8?usp=sharing
This course is meant to teach you the basics of music theory in just 30 days so that you can either dive into more advanced topics on the page or call it quits since you know about all important fundamentals already :) I did my best to explain everything in detail in the instructionals, hope you also have tons of fun with the exercises!
P.S.: Here's a Dropbox folder in case Google Drive doesn't work for you: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v0audl8nhumyfxn/AABxFaT4ovKT1NXTZ_ST1rrza?dl=0
Comments
Hey Bernth team, I was wondering why is it that the C Major Scale is different by a note or two from your typical C Major Scale. For example, I noticed that on C Major Scale position 1 exercise 3, there's an extra B note on the G string. Also, on C Major Scale exercise 3 position 2, the notes on the B and high E string are different from your typical C Major Scale notes. Why is that? Thank you in advance :)
† The_Riddler †
2024-11-04 19:59:56 +0000 UTCI’ve been doing this for months now, I am really struggling with the modes workout on anything past slow, should I be sticking with it or should I be trying other lessons to increase dexterity? Wondering if brute forcing medium speed is really what’s going to work. Thanks!
JoeJJC
2024-10-02 20:20:52 +0000 UTCSimple lol but gotta ways to go
tyler shelton
2024-04-20 16:54:47 +0000 UTCOkay so it’s starting to open up with 1-5 number 5. If I hit both strings open then connect all the E notes then when I step up to f my f notes are below each E
tyler shelton
2024-04-20 16:54:30 +0000 UTCIt does indeed, after close inspection after seeing this i've decieded to focus on this course, thanks! Great to see this post still getting responses also, its a great help.
JoeJJC
2024-03-26 23:03:10 +0000 UTCHey there, the older fretboard mastery course Bernth made is much more basic and aimed at beginners, it serves as a great foundation before tackling this one :) Hope that helps, have a great day! Team Bernth
Bernd Brodträger
2024-03-26 07:35:49 +0000 UTCHi, Just wondering - how similar is this course to #169 which covers very similar topics? I was wondering what the difference is, or perhaps if this is a more streamlined edition? Im not sure which to follow
JoeJJC
2024-03-25 21:32:36 +0000 UTCHey ! First of all thank you for all those amazing resources. I just started following this course and if I may, I'd like to share a small tip that may help others. Regarding the very first exercise of the first block, what helped me the most in visualizing those "white keys" was knowing that there's only a semitone between B-C and E-F. Which might be obvious for most of us right now. When I first learned that, I asked what was the reason for that break in the pattern. The answer that was given to me was : "B"e"C"ause "E"verything is "F"ucked Sorry, I know it's rude, but I never forgot it ever again! Hope this may help others who might struggle with remembering that, cheers!
Oltra Romain
2024-03-12 23:35:11 +0000 UTCHey there, please find all guitar parts and exercises written down with great care in the link in the post (Google Drive/Dropbox) - when it comes to music theory, our students mostly practice with the guitar pro files and tabs, since that is the easiest and fastest method to not just repeat what you see on a screen, but to internalize the underlying theory :) Hope this helps, Team Bernth
Bernd Brodträger
2024-02-20 06:39:38 +0000 UTCOk this is something I have not understood as to WHY every guitar channel does this!! WHYYYYYYYYY do you show the guitar opposite of what you are doing with YOUR guitar?? Why not show the guitar thread the exact same position as what we are seeing you play?! It would be so much easier for us visual guys!!!!!! 🤦🏻♂️
Andy Vela
2024-02-19 21:53:50 +0000 UTCHi Bernth, awesome course. I already mastered this, where should i head now? Which else course i should continue?
Aleš Pokora
2024-02-13 10:58:42 +0000 UTCHello Bernth, is this course the same as the #169 - Fretboard Mastery Online Course (Patreon Exclusive)? It seems to have very similar exercises
Lucas
2023-09-23 01:57:56 +0000 UTCThe links in the youtube video descriptions doesn't seem to work anymore.
federrock
2023-08-30 15:22:51 +0000 UTCThe link to the course is in this exact post, please make sure to read it to find the links :) Have a great day
Bernd Brodträger
2023-08-18 05:42:45 +0000 UTCI search for a beginner course like the youtube video sad. Now i get here 1mio videos and cant find anything?
Greacher
2023-08-17 18:01:13 +0000 UTCHi Guys, does someone have the link to the 30 day picking workout? I can't find it. Thanks in advance!
Marcos David Ulloa Zurita
2023-03-23 16:48:07 +0000 UTCHow long do we practice each day?
chadrobertlove
2023-03-19 12:49:04 +0000 UTCmy first ever guitar lesson
Cj47
2023-01-17 14:41:07 +0000 UTCLet's get strated! These courses are jsut awesome! Thank You Bernth!
George Nyvlt
2023-01-15 13:24:49 +0000 UTCYer I was just watching a few of Bernths videos and a light bulb went off in my head. I was always the guy that practised for like 8 hours a day to get good but the effort in writing and the time working up and down the neck was always a problem. After a couple of days I am seeing the neck so differently. Really w8sh I did this at the beginning lol
Andrew Bolitho
2022-07-31 10:09:49 +0000 UTCHaha great, I´m doing the same! I always relied on my classical guitar background. It helped, but it plateaued me, too.
Philip Brazda
2022-07-31 08:51:32 +0000 UTCSame tragedy here, Andrew. Can playback tracks up and down, however, a sucka at musicianship, which is completely missing the the target, isn't it?
Ronnie
2022-07-26 21:55:58 +0000 UTCI have one string left to memorize, I have quite the turtle speed here. I keep getting sucked into the legato exercise, because they are so freaking amazing. I already see the improvement swapping over to my alternate picking timings and cleanliness of notes played. Truly already love this platform!
Ronnie
2022-07-26 21:51:49 +0000 UTCOoooh, ok I understand, that acutally makes sense (and obvious now that you say it ^^). Thank you soo much for your time to answer this question, man. It is so much appreciated!
Ronnie
2022-07-26 21:45:26 +0000 UTCWelcome to our community Andrew, thanks for leaving a comment! :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-07-26 04:44:12 +0000 UTCAfter 20 years playing and once being in a signed band I am going back to basics again! I never did any music theory so always found I plateaued a lot. my kids now want me to shred again so have gone back to the beginning!. Thanks Benrth
Andrew Bolitho
2022-07-25 17:41:28 +0000 UTCHonestly, whatever suits your current level and understanding best! If you feel like you have to tackle them one by one you can definitely do that - if you feel 'underwhelmed' or not challenged enough one day, you can work on all of them as well :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-07-25 04:49:35 +0000 UTC@bernth, is the intention that we just practice each exercise on each day, one for each of the 5 days, or is it your intention that we do all 5 exercises each day for 5 days?
Mark Sanders
2022-07-23 23:44:57 +0000 UTCHello Ronnie, it's important to learn scales all across the neck and not always just from the root - also, it's a beginner's misconception that a scale always needs to be played from the root. When you map out the C major scale all across the neck and across all strings, you won't always have C as a starting point! Hope this helps :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-07-22 07:14:18 +0000 UTCHey Bernth, hey eveyone, I have a question regarding the "Fretboard Visualisation Exercises" PDF (the first 5 days). It says C Major Scale for each variation, but isn't that just a Major Scale? Why is it called C Major specifically for each variation and not for example E-Major for exercise 3 scale position 1, since we start with the note E? I have googled a little bit around the subject and the talk is about the root note, so I am a little bit confused. Of what I understood from my google searches, the note what you start with is the root and from there on come the variations major or minor. What am I missing here? Could you please help or maybe someone in the community? Would be much appreciated. I hope this is not a stupid question. And thank you Bernth for this amazing content.
Ronnie
2022-07-21 09:57:23 +0000 UTCHey Bernth. In the last 5 day block - the arpeggios - would you recommend spending the 30 mins each day practising just one position for the triads and 7ths of the chords in Cmaj, or would you practise all 3 positions for each every day? Or what what do you recommend? Cheers!
Lukezo
2022-06-13 15:52:46 +0000 UTCThis is an under discussed topic. Muting is soooo important. I have taught it to students many times.
Mike Whitla
2022-06-09 15:29:30 +0000 UTCI wouldn't say embarrassing, I'd say this is far too common though. I'm slowly trying to learn where notes are and hoping block 1 will help.
iDuncan
2022-05-15 02:46:59 +0000 UTCI'd love to do a video on muting techniques, I'll add it to the next wishlist :) But there's nothing too special going on and no 'secret', it just came with practice in my case and I never actively worked on it! Still, great idea to analyze it - maybe I can do a full episode on this topic if the community votes for it :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-05-09 04:36:53 +0000 UTCHi Bernth, In the (quite quick) modes workout routine: - do u mute the higher strings with your index finger? Or do u not touch the higher strings as in the spider exercise? - do u mute the higher strings with your palm? I tried to investigate it in the mid tempo video but it is quite hard to see the “hidden” magic to play as clean as possible, especially when speeding this exercise up. Kind regards Stefan
Stefan Halbritter
2022-05-08 13:12:13 +0000 UTCIn case you'd like to follow up with more theory, I suggest checking out the intermediate course: https://www.patreon.com/posts/220-intermediate-64996637 Hope this helps :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-05-04 04:36:59 +0000 UTCHello! I discovered your YouTube channel a few weeks ago, and decided to go for the Patreon channel. Good stuff. Do you have a recommendation which course to follow up this one with? Thanks!
Zachary Van Sickle
2022-05-03 22:35:49 +0000 UTCAfter sitting with this for a few days now, I can honestly I've improved quite a bit. I have been very "tab-restricted" in the past and it feels like just learning the actual notes on each string instead of "5, 7, 9" is something I should have done years ago. I mean, I know spots here and there and can find the notes - but I've never been able to pick any note and go "G". Quite embarrassing, really... :/ But now's the time! :)
Robert Bjärmyr
2022-03-11 03:54:09 +0000 UTCYes #214 thanks Bernth
Dirk den Ouden
2022-03-10 06:15:58 +0000 UTCGreat question Dirk! In case you mean the fretboard visualization exercise, it's just so that you don't skip the note in this position (it could be played in both locations) - it won't result in great music to always have these note repetitions, it's just so that you don't have any blindspots on the fretboard :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-10 05:39:33 +0000 UTCThank you so much for this Bernth! This is exactly what I've been looking for and haven't been able to find it until now. Honestly, your explainations on music theory in other youtube videos was the NUMBER 1 reason I choose to become a member of your Patron site. The awesome music that you make is just a very welcomed bonus! Thanks again!
Shaun M Carriveau
2022-03-09 22:22:22 +0000 UTCA question , exercise 3 C major scale position 1: on the G string you play open g,a and b, then on B string you don't start with c but an open b again, why is that?
Dirk den Ouden
2022-03-09 20:24:04 +0000 UTCThank you!
Matthew Parrish
2022-03-07 15:07:36 +0000 UTCStandard tuning was great for me at the start, just to get an overview of how everything works :) You can apply everything you learn to any tuning easily (the rules don't change) but i think it would help to have a guitar in standard tuning as well - you can also work with all the video play-alongs and backing tracks here this way!
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-07 05:48:31 +0000 UTCWill check it out - thanks! Have a great weekend!
Wilhelm Glomm
2022-03-06 12:44:42 +0000 UTCHi Matthew, I am just a bedroom guitarist but I think you will want to memorize the shapes of intervals. You will want to know where the Maj 3rd is located in relation to the root and so on. If you guitar is tuned down but still standard tuning, then it shouldn't matter which tuning you use. If you have an altered tuning then you will want to memorize those interval shapes. If you play one guitar with standard tuning and another with altered tuning then you will want to practice both. Just my thoughts - I'm not a pro.
brian mcginty
2022-03-06 02:55:21 +0000 UTCA quick question on this. When learning theory, is it better to just use standard tuning, or better to use the tuning you find yourself in most often?
Matthew Parrish
2022-03-05 21:34:51 +0000 UTCI think this will help: https://www.patreon.com/posts/106-this-is-how-39916834 Hope you have a great weekend :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-05 15:37:34 +0000 UTCHi Bernth. Apologies in advance for grinching it up, but while I understand and really appreciate this topic as far as note values, intervals and so on, the connection to anything useful appears to break down once it comes to modes. Every instructional on why modes are important and how you can use them in your music always devolves in a hurry to an exercise in memorising the differences and thus the patterns. I would really love to learn more about the link between the mechanical understanding of modes/the position on the fretboard and how to apply it musically.
Wilhelm Glomm
2022-03-04 14:42:52 +0000 UTCTy so much!!
Bruno Novak
2022-03-03 12:39:24 +0000 UTCThanks so much Paul, that really means the world to me! :) Can't wait to share more music this year, I'm really excited about it! Yes I still love the Kemper and use it live - but at home I find myself using VSTs more and more since it's pretty easy and I can change things after getting the actual takes for demos and recordings... that makes it easy to decide upon the direction/sound of the production after recording, without having to re-amp the DI tracks with a different sound! But in a live setup it's still the best for me, especially with that handy footswitch/remote :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-03 05:50:22 +0000 UTCPaul, I've been playing for over 30 years and I'm in the same boat. What I am doing is studying all the notes on the neck, playing my scales in sequence so they connect, and I also make sure I spend time improvising each day, even if it's just using the pentatonic scale for now. Don't EVER give up! I won't!
Keith Moreau (Clayton Biggz)
2022-03-02 23:26:32 +0000 UTCHi Bernth! How do you like the Kemper Profiler? I have been looking at getting one. Second, I cannot stop listening to Elevation! It’s my go to album while at the gym, you are a true virtuoso and technician!! Your work is amazing! One of my favorite guitarists is Andy Laroque of King Diamond, but I think you have risen to my favorite guitar player!!
Paul E. Kubiak
2022-03-02 14:30:51 +0000 UTCI not only walked away from this lesson a better musician and guitarist but a better human being. Thank you good sir.
Bill Courtney
2022-03-02 01:01:32 +0000 UTClove these workouts!
Alfredo Medina
2022-03-01 20:08:23 +0000 UTCAh ok, thanks for the replies! I thought it may have something to do with the neck considering the specs usually list “compound radius” or 12-16in radius. Traditional popular brands don’t usually have compounds. I’ve been eyeing up a Jackson again. I had one many years back but sold it.
Paul E. Kubiak
2022-03-01 09:45:30 +0000 UTCI agree, it's mostly the neck profile for me as well (aside from the tone, pickup configuration,...) and it takes a while until you find the perfect one for your style! I found mine with the Ibanez AZ neck, this one is the most comfortable one for me so far :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-03-01 05:46:06 +0000 UTCfrom what i understand it's the neck profile of these brands that allow easier movement up and down the neck. i'm no where "good" yet but i notice a decent difference in neck feel between my $1000 b.c rich and my $300 jackson. the jackson's profile seems thinner allowing for a bit more maneuverability but that may just be preference. if i'm wrong and there is other reasons these brands are chosen please correct me
Andrew Jones
2022-03-01 00:40:15 +0000 UTCHaha, i needed this so much it's absolutely bonkers.
Unfretted Lutist
2022-02-28 20:35:28 +0000 UTCI’ve been playing for over 40 years and still suck at soloing. I’ve been trying to relearn using methods you have shown. I have a question…I notice mostly all shredders use guitars like Ibanez, Jackson, ESP, etc. Do these types of guitars offer any advantages over let’s say traditional Gibsons, Fenders?
Paul E. Kubiak
2022-02-28 14:03:12 +0000 UTCThank you Bernth
jaz
2022-02-28 08:36:11 +0000 UTCGreat question Geyzer! In case you mean the fretboard visualization exercise, it's just so that you don't skip the note in this position (it could be played in both locations) - it won't result in great music to always have these note repetitions, it's just so that you don't have any blindspots on the fretboard :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-02-28 05:49:48 +0000 UTCI'd probably go for the arpeggio to really accent the chord, the scale has the same notes as C major and it might confuse you when you're playing F over E (the characteristic Phrygian note), that sometimes doesn't end too well :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-02-28 05:49:16 +0000 UTCchord tone*
Bruno Novak
2022-02-27 15:41:05 +0000 UTCWhen you play for example over c major backing track and the current chord is Em do you visulise e phrygian position and Em chord Times(arepggios), and then when the next chord comes you visulise that mode and arepggio?
Bruno Novak
2022-02-27 15:40:31 +0000 UTCI dont even think it matters what the answer is Bernth, I have memorized the CEG in alot of places. Tried some improv with a C major track and only focused on finding notes not just playing random scale notes and I sounded best I have heard myself, I was able to more or less play what was in my head because I could play starting on any CEorG and started to hear the difference between them. Incredible in only like 20 minutes on pravtice today as thats all I can give. Ty
Geyzer Salgado
2022-02-27 05:07:35 +0000 UTCBernth, in exercise 1, C major scales there are notes that repeat. Is that on purpose? For example the first position the B is played twice on the G and then B string. TY
Geyzer Salgado
2022-02-27 04:30:12 +0000 UTCYes, it's very useful to have a good and correct fretboard overview of different tunings that you often use! That way you won't run into problems when you write other instrument parts (piano, orchestra,...) for your music and you can also correctly communicate with other instrumentalists other than guitarists :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-02-26 14:01:55 +0000 UTCGreat question Jaz! In case you mean the fretboard visualization exercise, it's just so that you don't skip the note in this position (it could be played in both locations) - it won't result in great music to always have these note repetitions, it's just so that you don't have any blindspots on the fretboard :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-02-26 14:00:09 +0000 UTCOk now I checked the content of this a little closer, I feel like I need to share the 'applied-theory' stuff I have been working on in our YouTube VIP community... 🤔😅
Ivan V.
2022-02-26 12:02:00 +0000 UTCAwesome stuff, Bernth - been studying theory and applying it slowly, and this goes very nicely with your previous lesson on harmonising... Very exciting! 🎸🤟
Ivan V.
2022-02-26 10:31:00 +0000 UTCAwesome just what I need thank you Bernth , Question about the cmaj scale I’m wondering why the b note is played twice
jaz
2022-02-25 23:02:29 +0000 UTCWhat I'm doing is to use a regular tuned guitar for practice to train my ear to hear the correct sound for each note. I feel that playing a C I should hear a C, not A, if that makes sense. That way, when I do change the tuning/swap guitars it's a small thing to transpose on the fly since you only need to swap out a few key notes to orient yourself. Of course, you could learn that "C" on the A string is A in a particular tuning etc. But I think that would be an obstacle when trying out different guitars or tunings. But then again... Everyone's different :)
Robert Bjärmyr
2022-02-25 22:36:30 +0000 UTCJust what i need! Thanks a lot Bernth 😎
Andrew Agafonov
2022-02-25 21:29:25 +0000 UTCThank you so much 🙏 this is a special one stuff🎸
Massimo Romagnoli
2022-02-25 19:53:04 +0000 UTCI have an app called Guitario that I've been using for about a year now to help me memorize the fretboard, and it really works well for me. It's also free.
Kevin Niemeyer
2022-02-25 19:35:52 +0000 UTCBy the way... if using a different tuned guitar... do you think one should also learn the notes you talk about instead of the real ones one is playing and (later on) just transpose it in your head, or should you practice it as the exact same note that you are indeed playing?
Sephiroth
2022-02-25 17:26:18 +0000 UTCWhen you played the C Maj 7 arpeggio, I immediately thought of Stranger Things. So, of course, I need to practice this :-)
Chris Kilmer
2022-02-25 17:18:37 +0000 UTCIt's two months past Christmas and we still get presents! 🥳🤘
Robert Bjärmyr
2022-02-25 17:15:10 +0000 UTCIt's no surprise that your teaching and materials are right were I'm trying to go. Thanks so much!
Mark McNish
2022-02-25 17:04:31 +0000 UTCThank you Bernth. I needed a touch of theory in your awesome 30 days courses format. Thank you
Andrea
2022-02-25 16:44:49 +0000 UTCYou are the best!
istillsuckatguitar
2022-02-25 16:31:04 +0000 UTCYES! This never gets old! ☕️🤟🏻
Eric Bailey
2022-02-25 16:07:00 +0000 UTCThanks so much Edwin, I added it right away! :)
Bernd Brodträger
2022-02-25 16:00:18 +0000 UTCThe exercise we probably didn't know we needed the most! Thank you thank you thank you! BTW, this is #214 right? The number is missing from the title
Edwin van Slingerlandt
2022-02-25 15:45:32 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your hard work Bernth!
Alex History
2022-02-25 15:34:01 +0000 UTC
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