I posted this over at HC but I thought you guys could use it too.
The following tutorial shows how to understand the guitar fretboard by applying the technique of 'tonic-solfa' or 'movable do solfege'. Once familiar with this technique, playing by ear and sightreading/sightsinging will become trivial tasks. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please read this page;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solfege
As someone on here said,
"the guitar is a relative instrument"
So lets treat it like one.
The following diagram shows the guitar fretboard with the notes on it. Sharps and flats are not shown but pretend they're there. For example between F and G is F#/Gb. This diagram should be printed and kept for reference until you can memorise it completely. The red C is middle C on a piano keyboard.
The next diagram is the most import and diagram you'll see as a guitarist. It represents the notes in any key as their 'solfege' or ' tonic - solfa' syllables. It is a looping diagram with no end (i.e. the far right hand side and the far left hand side join together), two sections have been shown for clarity, . It may seem corny at first but it lets you distinguish between notes in terms of their function - AND it will train your ear. This diagram should be thoroughly memorised (you probably already have memorised it in terms of dots, not syllables). The do's (pronounced dough) are coloured blue in order to show the pattern that exists between the octaves up the fretboard. This pattern occurs with all notes, not just the do's. There are 5 patterns and then they repeat.
Now, to play in any major key, simply take this diagram and superimpose it on the first diagram to line the do's up with the key you want. For example - to play in E major, line up all the do's with the E's on the fretboard. The following is the result;
To play in C major, line up all the do's from the second diagram with the C's on the first diagram. Here is the result;
Likewise with the key of G# Major;
There are 12 keys in total, I've only showed you 3. I'll let you find the notes for the others.
Now, to play in a minor key the same thing applies, however, instead of lining up the do's on the key required, line up the la's instead. Here is the diagram for A minor;
Note that this diagram is the same for C major. That is because A minor is the relative minor of C major.
Mode required; Syllable to line up on key; Pronunciation;
Major/Ionian...................Do....................... .........dough
Dorian.............................Re............. ....................ray
Phrygian..........................Mi.............. ....................me
Lydian..............................Fa............ .....................fah
Mixolydian........................So.............. ...................so
Minor/Aeolian...................La...................... ...........lah
Locrian.............................Ti............ .......................tee
So if you want to play the Eb locrian mode, line up the ti's on Eb and play. ( to the experts: I know a mode isn't a mode unless the right chord is played but hey this is a beginners guide).
Major Scale ( ionian mode);
do > re > mi > fa > so > la > ti > do
Dorian Mode (eg for F# Dorian, the re's fall on F#);
re > mi > fa > so > la > ti > do > re
Phrygian Mode;
mi > fa > so > la > ti > do > re > me
Lydian Mode;
fa > so > la > ti > do > re > mi > fa
Mixolydian Mode;
so > la > ti > do > re > me > fa > so
Natural Minor Scale ( Aeolian mode );
la > ti > do > re > mi > fa > so > la
Locrian Mode;
ti > do > re > mi > fa > so > la > ti
Examples;
Here's some examples of tunes to get you going using this system;
> means going higher in pitch, < means going lower in pitch
Jingle bells: mi mi mi mi mi mi mi > so < do > re > mi > fa fa fa etc.
Sweet child o mine ( starts in key of F# Major - note slash tunes down a half step);
do > do < so < fa > fa < so > mi < so ...
Happy birthday (choose a key and play);
so so > la < so > do < ti
< so so > la < so > re < do
< so > do > so < mi < do do < ti < la ...
One (metallica) (played in key of A minor i.e. la's fall on A);
la > mi < la > do
< fa > mi < fa > do ...
Stairway to heaven (played in key of A minor);
la > do > mi > la > ti < mi < do > ti > do < mi < do > do < fi < re < la > fi (out of key see below) < mi < do < la > do ...
In many songs, some notes played fall out of the key such as stairway to heaven. The 7 notes that fall in key are do re mi fa so la ti (the diatonic notes). There are 12 notes in total chromatic scale, so there is another 5 notes that are out of key and they are: di ri fi si and li.
The complete solfege system for the chromatic scale is;
do di re ri mi fa fi so si la li ti
Diatonic notes ( within a key);
do re mi fa so la ti
Out of key notes ( out of key);
di ri fi si li
The out of key notes are not shown on my diagram but once again, pretend they're there.
Another song that has out of key notes is the familiar 'Simpsons' theme song;
do > mi > fi > la < so < mi < do < la < fi fi fi > so < fi fi fi > so > li > do do do do.
The harmonised major scale (chords);
The diatonic triads;
so la ti do re mi fa
mi fa so la ti do re
do re mi fa so la ti
I ii iii IV V vi viidim
The diatonic 7th chords;
ti do re mi fa so la
so la ti do re mi fa
mi fa so la ti do re
do re mi fa so la ti
OK thats enough for now. I think I got through everything I intended to. Later I'll add some info here describing how to use this system to sightread the treble clef with ease.
I may put this info up on a website soon for easier reading. Feedback would be appreciated. And if there are any questions please ask.