Help → Guitar Theory

Learn one pattern.
Start making music.

The same original lessons and diagrams used in GTR Player Help on Mac and iPad. Start with the movable pattern; you can learn the note names later.

Pentatonic · Fretboard · Major scales · Chord notes

The movable pentatonic pattern

The Pentatonic number in the app tells you where to put your first finger on the low E string. For example, G major shows fret 12. Move the whole pattern to that position. The blue double rings mark root notes; the numbers on this pattern are finger numbers.

For minor, the first finger plays the root on the low E string. For major, the little finger plays that root; your first finger starts three frets lower. C minor starts with your first finger at fret 8. C major starts with your first finger at fret 5 and the little finger on C at fret 8.

One movable soloing pattern, with finger numbers and root notes
One movable soloing pattern, with finger numbers and root notes Select the diagram to see it full size.
Starting positions for the major and minor pentatonic pattern
Starting positions for the major and minor pentatonic pattern Select the diagram to see it full size.
C major and A minor share a shape; the root note changes
C major and A minor share a shape; the root note changes Select the diagram to see it full size.

Use the major or minor lesson matching the displayed key. The fret guide follows key changes, including changes made with KEY. It does not play a solo for you. The included red scale guides and green pentatonic backing tracks give you music to practise with.

Find notes on the fretboard

Standard tuning, with the high E string at the top. Open strings are fret 0, and notes repeat twelve frets higher.

Standard guitar tuning and fretboard notes from fret 0 to 24
Standard guitar tuning and fretboard notes from fret 0 to 24 Select the diagram to see it full size.

Play a major scale

Follow the coloured eight-note runs from 1 to 8, then return from 8 to 1. Here the small numbers show playing order, not fingers. Practise each octave separately.

A major
A major scale with two numbered octave runs
A major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
B major
B major scale with two numbered octave runs
B major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
C major
C major scale with two numbered octave runs
C major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
D major
D major scale with two numbered octave runs
D major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
E major
E major scale with two numbered octave runs
E major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
F major
F major scale with two numbered octave runs
F major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.
G major
G major scale with two numbered octave runs
G major scale with two numbered octave runs Select the diagram to see it full size.

Understand chord notes

A major chord uses notes 1, 3 and 5 of its scale. A minor chord lowers the middle note by one fret. Seventh chords add another note: 7, m7 and maj7 are different chord names, so follow the matching column.

Major and minor chord notes for all twelve root notes
Major and minor chord notes for all twelve root notes Select the diagram to see it full size.
Notes used in dominant, minor and major seventh chords
Notes used in dominant, minor and major seventh chords Select the diagram to see it full size.

Return to the Pentatonic starting-fret guide