This fretboard simulator will teach you where all the notes are on typical six string guitar. Simply click on the virtual guitar neck (with your mouse or trackpad) to play. Or hit keys on your computer keyboard and the simulator will guide you around the fretboard and allow you to select individual notes correcty.
The graphics were made to feel this way because they are meant as a learning tool rather than for performance. For example there’s no attempt at creating melody but more an emphasis on recognising and remembering notes.
How to Use the Guitar Fretboard Simulator
There is six strings spread across the fretboard that has twelve frets. They’re all in standard tuning starting from low E on the left hand side through to high E on the right. The intersections shows where each note is located on the string. Tap one and it plays for you and the note name will show up in the centre dot. It gives you instant feedback so you can quicky associate where notes are with their names.
Depending on which way you prefer to use them, you can learn how to write sharps or flats. This is changeable under control panel dropdown menu.
You can practice hands free. You can use the keyboard to navigate around the fretboard. When you’re ready to start practicing, press the Tab key. From here, you can use arrow keys to navigate left/right/up/down along the frets and strings. Hit the Space or Enter key when you’re over a string/fret combination that you want to hear. This will play the note.
This is helpful for getting used to how it might feel to play an actual instrument. It also helps develop muscle memory for where fingers go in relation to frets without needing to look at them.
In terms of structuring your practice there are a few options available in the main control panel. In neck hunt mode, they give you a target note and you have to find every place that note appear on the board. This develops an overall sense of how instrument is laid out.
There is also the single-string relay mode which drills you on a single string at a time. You only has to identify the target note on the given string, which is great for practicing linear patterns.
In sweep mode, it shows where every instance of the target note exist on the neck. As they plays through, it highlights each note’s position from lowest to highest. Not only do you hear it but you get a visual representation which lets you see symmetry of the fret board. That way, if you are unsure about the answer, you can check your work. Or, if you want to try it out first, you can listen and watch the pattern to see how it sounds.
Free-fret exploration mode turns off the targets and scoring entirely. Just tap around as much as you like. It plays the note and tells you what it is before continuing. It is great for reviewing individual interval or just messing around.
There are also other controls that allow you to customize the experience. Volume control lets you adjust how loud the plucked string sounds. If you’re practicing somewhere quiet, turn it down. Otherwise, crank it up so it’s easier to distinguish from background noise.
There’s a fullscreen button too. It increases the size of the widget to take up the full screen. Useful for smaller screens, this gives the fretboard some extra breathing space and removes any distractions.
Also, there’s a help panel where you can remind yourself of the navigation keys and controls if you forget.
The scorecard is a basic tracker that will keep tabs on your progress. It tracks the number of correctly identified notes as well as your “streak”, i.e., how many in a row you’ve gotten right. The idea here is to encourage getting it right each time. When you don’t get it right, the streak restarts. It’s not punitive though; this isn’t supposed to be like a timed test or anything. It’s a learning tool, but one intended to be low pressure. Anytime you want, you can hit the button and start over.
Variety is key when practicing. Begin in Sweep mode to see where a note sits on the neck. Next use Neck Hunt mode and attempt to locate it by memory. When comfortable, test yourself with String Relay mode. This sequence helps the development of recall over recognition. It prevents you from just memorizing random locations and instead helps you learn the bigger picture.
Don’t rush it, take as long as you need to get used to how it works. Experiment to your heart’s content; there is no judgement here. When you’re not in structured mode, roam around freely and try it out. It’s been created to allow you to keep using it without tiring of the experience. If something doesn’t make sense, go back over it again and again until it does.
Simply choose your mode then tap a note to get started practicing. You should of tried this earlier.