4 Ways to Improve Fretboard Vizualization

By: Joe Pinnavaia

As we continue with our series dealing with practice techniques that require no physical practice, we will cover a technique in this installment that I myself using to this day. This invaluable practice technique is called Fretboard Visualization.

The concept is not a new one, but to tap into the power of this technique can be strenuous, at least in the beginning. I started applying this technique to my practice routine when I was in High School when I was having trouble falling asleep at night – maybe not the best time to practice – but it’s the quietest time for me to concentrate. After applying this technique for a short while, I could visualize scales all over the fretboard, and I even started transposing them into different positions away from my guitar.

Now, I use visualization to practice arpeggios and altered scales and their harmonic application during my practice time. You can, and should, use visualization as a practice method in learning any new lick or technique. This will get another part of your brain involved in the process, helping to solidify a link between your hands and your ears.

So, how does one start with fretboard visualization? Try these four easy steps.

1 – Start with scale fragments, like the one below, and visualize these fragments in different positions across the fretboard. Start with octaves at first, then move up and down the fretboard, transposing it into different keys in your head. You can start the process and check yourself on the guitar to see how you’re doing. If you get off, just make corrections and then start the process again.

2 – If you want to memorize where all of the notes are on the fretboard, start with one string at a time, and then from the open position, move up a half step at a time. Picture yourself playing each note and say to yourself “E, F, F sharp or G flat, G, G sharp or A flat…” Continue this exercise all the way up the neck until you reach the end of the board.

3 – Work with different closed-position chord shapes, visualizing them throughout the cycle of fourths and fifths and, as before, check to see how you’re doing mentally by referring to your guitar.

4 – The Ultimate Goal: To visualize the entire fretboard in front of you and be able to mentally picture all of the notes for any particular scale or arpeggio in any given key.

Try to be free with these exercises and experiment as much as possible. You’ll find that your playing will change as your mental perception of the fretboard grows, with your creativity and soloing ability moving hand in hand with these newfound mental abilities.