"WALK-UP" THE GUITAR FRETBOARD

Assuming that you are right handed, the fingers of your left hand will be used to press the strings down on the guitar fretboard. Your right hand will be used to strum or pick the strings. The fingers of your left hand are numbered like this:

1 = first finger
2 = second finger
3 = third finger
4 = fourth finger

When playing notes on the guitar in FIRST POSITION:

Your FIRST FINGER plays the notes on the Fretboard between the First Fret and the Nut.

Your SECOND FINGER plays the notes between the First Fret and the Second Fret

THIRD FINGER/THIRD FRET

FOURTH FINGER/FOURTH FRET.

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EXERCISE:

1. Strike the first string with the thumb of your right hand. This is the OPEN E string.

2. Now place the first finger of your left hand on the first string behind the first fret. Press down. Strike the string again with the thumb of your right hand.

3. Next, move to the second fret with your second finger and repeat the process. Continue moving up the first string until you have used all four fingers.

4. After you’ve reached the fourth fret, move to the second string and repeat the exercise. Practice this on each string.

E = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----
B = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----
G = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----
D = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----
A = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----
E = 0 |1----|2----|3----|4----

I call this the Walk-Up Exercise and it’s a great way to build strength and coordination skills. It will also help develop the necessary calluses for the fingers of your left hand. In musical terms this exercise is referred to as a CHROMATIC SCALE, which is just another way of saying HALF-STEPS! You should practice it slowly everyday trying to get a clear sound from each fretted note. Be sure to keep the first knuckle (the one closest to the nail of each finger) bent. Push directly down on the string, being careful not to bend it. Your fingernails should be short enough to allow you to push the strings down without interfering.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

1. Know the difference between half-steps and whole steps on the guitar fretboard.

2. Memorize where half-steps and whole steps occur in the MUSICAL ALPHABET.

3. Use the Chromatic Scale to develop left and right hand coordination skills, finger calluses, and strength.

PRACTICE:

1. Play the Walk Up Exercises on the guitar fretboard everyday. Go Forward and backward. Focus on clarity of tone (sound) with an even tempo (speed).

2. Play through these Speed and Coordination Exercises for extra practice.

LEARN MORE... Test Your Fretboard Knowledge Here