Memorize the fretboard: 3 reasons why, 3 mental models, and 4 effective exercises

Learning the notes on the fretboard (and practicing to get faster recall) pays off massively by speeding up your ability to learn new songs and solos, as well as by being one of the keys that will unlock your ability to improvise. This video explains why it's so valuable to memorize the notes, shows three powerful ways to think about the fretboard, and demonstrates four useful exercises that will accelerate your progress.

► Keywords: memorizing the fretboard, chromatic scale, cycle of 4ths/5ths, guitar lesson, music theory

► To see how this video fits into the big picture of fretboard understanding, check out this overview video:    • A new and faster way to unlock the fr...  
or download a FREE 12-page overview e-book: https://fretscience.myshopify.com/pro...

► For downloadable/printable "cheat sheets" for this video and others, visit: https://fretscience.myshopify.com/

► You can learn more, sign up for my email newsletter, or contact me at: https://fretscience.com

► Gear used in this video
Fender Player Plus Nashville Telecaster - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/QyXLeM
Boss NS-1X noise suppressor - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/5gGEL9
MXR Six Band EQ Pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/QOZgYM
DSM Humboldt Simplifier MKII - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/QyXLWP
TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Reverb - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rQeqrR
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/eKJ5Xj

► Other gear I use and recommend (affiliate links):
TC Electronic Infinite Sustainer Pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/doNAyq
TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini Tuner - https://imp.i114863.net/ZdnDVQ
TC Electronic Ditto+ Looper - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/5gmDEN
Digitech Trio+ Pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/5b2Xn3
Boss RC-500 Loop Station - https://imp.i114863.net/MXG1K3
D'Addario NYXL strings - https://imp.i114863.net/QOZRbx
MXR Six Band EQ Pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/QOZgYM
PRS Guitars - https://imp.i114863.net/LPAG0L
Bose S1 Pro PA - https://imp.i114863.net/GjP5Kr
Pedaltrain pedal boards - https://imp.i114863.net/BXmQKx
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power X8 - https://imp.i114863.net/WDWLYG
Electro-Harmonix Freeze Pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/Earj0e
TC Electronic Plethora X5 - https://imp.i114863.net/VyzWOa
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive pedal - https://imp.i114863.net/AoxDPx
Wampler Tumnus Overdrive - https://imp.i114863.net/9W43V0
World's Best Cables 10' (Mogami/Neutrik) - https://amzn.to/3lq4OlD
World's Best Cables 15' (Mogami/Neutrik) - https://amzn.to/3YqxCZY

► Recommended video viewing order:
Full playlist:    • Guitar scales made easy (Recommended ...  

Individual videos:
1. Use "the warp" to reduce memorization:    • HOW TO VISUALIZE CHORDS & SCALES: A s...  
2. Master the pentatonic scale with the rectangle and stack:    • Two Simple Shapes UNLOCK the Pentaton...  
3. Learn the notes!:    • Memorize the fretboard: 3 reasons why...  
4. Intervals: Guitar's secret decoder ring:    • Intervals: guitar's secret decoder ring  
5. Understand the modes:    • Demystifying the modes on guitar: it ...  
6. The best way to learn/play the modes:    • This hack makes learning the modes on...  
7. Another easy way to play the modes:    • Learn ALL the Modes on Guitar in Just...  
8. The CAGED system and triads:    • Demystifying Triads and CAGED: Unlock...  
9. The 3nps system:    • Unlock the fretboard with three notes...  
10. Instant harmony:    • Easy Double-Stop Harmonies: From The ...  

► Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:10 - Horizontal movement and the chromatic scale
06:09 - Vertical movement and the cycle of 4ths
10:10 - Diagonal movement with octave moves
13:11 - Why it's so important to memorize the fretboard
15:06 - Practice method #1
16:59 - Practice method #2
18:34 - Practice method #3
20:39 - Practice method #4

► Thank you to Dave DiCenso (drums), Jeff Gilman (bass), and Jake Shapiro (guitar, cello) for providing the theme music "Sea Horses".