Fretboard Basics
Lesson 3 of 3

Finding Any Note Anywhere

You know the octave shape (2 strings up, 2 frets over). Now combine it with the unison shape to find any note at any position on the neck.

The Unison Shape

The unison is the same note at the same pitch on an adjacent string. Because each string is tuned 5 semitones apart, the same note on the next higher string is always 5 frets back. If you play fret 7 on the E string (B), the same B is at fret 2 on the A string.

The rule: string S fret F = string S+1 fret F-5. This works on every string pair, no exceptions. In standard tuning, the G-B pair uses 4 frets instead of 5. P4 is always 5.

Two Tools, Full Coverage

With just these two shapes you can reach any note from any starting position:

Octave:2 strings up, 2 frets right (+12 semitones)
Unison:1 string up, 5 frets back (same pitch)

Start from any known note. Octave-jump diagonally to cover distant strings. Unison-shift sideways to stay in the same fret region. Between the two moves, every fret on every string is reachable in at most 2 steps.

Find Every Occurrence

Select a note below to see every location it appears across the full fretboard. Notice the diagonal pattern created by the octave shape and the lateral offsets created by the unison shape.

F
C
G
D
A
E
3
5
7
9
12
15
17
19
22

How to Practice

Pick a random note. Find it on the low E string first. Then use the octave shape to jump to the D string, then the C string. Use the unison shape to fill in the A, G, and F strings. Within seconds you should be able to point to that note on all 6 strings. Do this daily until it becomes instant.

The Complete Method

Say someone calls "Bb." You know Bb is fret 6 on the E string (A is fret 5, so one fret up). Octave: D string fret 8. Octave again: C string fret 10. Now unisons: A string fret 1 (E fret 6 minus 5). G string fret 3 (D fret 8 minus 5). F string fret 5 (C fret 10 minus 5). Six strings, one note, under 3 seconds.

Course Complete

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