Note Memorization

Lesson overview

Ever met someone with two names? Like Bob, who's also Robert? Well, some notes on your fretboard have two names also. They're called enharmonics. Let's dive in!

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Understand what enharmonic notes are.
2. Identify sharp and flat notes on the fretboard.
3. Recognize the exceptions to the rule of sharps and flats.

What's an Enharmonic?
An enharmonic is a note that can go by two different names. For example, what you call a C# could also be a Db. It's the same note, just wearing different hats.

Enharmonics on the Low E String:
In the chart below, we started from the G and moved up to the note located in the next fret. When we do this, we call the note G sharp or G#.

Whenever we move up one fret from a natural note, F, G, A, etc., we will assign it that note name plus a sharp sign. For example, F up to F#, A up to A# etc… The exception would be the B-C and E-F.

The Flat Tire Rule:
When we move down a fret from a natural note, we will assign it a flat. For example, if we start on A and move down one fret, we would call this note A flat or Ab.

One way to remember this is to think of a flat tire. When we have a flat tire, it will deflate, and the tire’s rim will go down. When we move down one fret from a natural note, we have a flat note, which lowers the note value.

Interactive Challenge:
Start on the open E and move up the fretboard, naming the notes as you go. Can you name all the sharp and flat notes up to the 7th fret without peeking? Now try some more!

Quiz Time:
1. What is an enharmonic note?
2. How do you name a note when you move up one fret from a natural note?
3. How do you name a note when you move down one fret from a natural note?

Practice Routine:
1. Spend time finding the sharp and flat notes on the low E string up to the 12th fret and back.
2. Challenge yourself: Start from the open E and move up to the 12th fret, naming both the sharps and flats. Example: G, G#/Ab, A, etc...
3. Randomly pick a fret and try to determine if it's a natural note or an enharmonic, and name it accordingly.

Pro Tip:
One really easy to remember which way to go with when you sharp or flat a note is the following.

Sharp: Think of climbing a "sharp" mountain or hill. The steepness or "sharpness" of the hill represents the note's rise in pitch.
Flat: When a tire goes flat, it goes down. When a note goes flat, it also goes down.

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