Note2Fretboard

This is a Java applet for the guitar player who wants to learn music notes and the guitar fretboard. The aim is to train the ability to identify notes on a music staff and find their place on the fretboard.

Instructions

The applet is only about 60k including images so it should load fairly quickly. To use the applet, select the signature key you want to see the notes in using the dropdown list, or choose random to let the applet alternate between all keys. Use the Accidentals dropdown list to select how frequently you want to see sharps, flats and natural signs on the notes. When you are done, click on the Start button to start the exercise.

During the exercise you are supposed to identify each of the notes on the staff and click on the correct string at the correct fret on the guitar fretboard. If you fail to locate a certain note, try again until you succeed. Information about how your results can be seen the whole time. Click on the Stop button when you are done to stop the counting clock.

A note on how to use accidentals

When a sharp or flat sign appears in the key signature, all corresponding notes (in all octaves) are raised or lowered. On the other hand, when a sharp or flat sign appears on a note, only those notes in that octave is raised or lowered and only for the rest of the measure. Natural signs cancel out one sharp or flat on the same notes in one octave and for the rest of the measure. There is a great guide here if anyone need it. No double sharps or flats will appear in this applet so you don't need to worry about them.

About the applet

The applet is developed by me (Olle Eriksson). I have done my best to make it Java 1.1 compatible and work on both Sun's and Microsoft's JVM. The only problem is that the sound doesn't work on Microsoft's VM. If anyone wish to see the source code to make modifications or anything else, feel free to e-mail me. Also, please tell me if you find any errors or bugs in the applet or in the instructions above.

Back to Olle Eriksson's homepage (where there is more contact information)