Fretboard Note Trainer
Play your way to actually knowing the fretboard.
Start QuizHow This Fretboard Trainer Works
This fretboard trainer helps you build instant recall of all the notes on the fretboard, whether you're a beginner or have been playing for years but never properly learned the notes.
There are four different fretboard memorization games inside this trainer:
- Identifier: you're shown a note on the fretboard and you say its name
- Player: you get a string and note name and play the note on your guitar. The app recognises the notes and gives instant feedback. You can also tap it on the screen.
- Collector: get a note name and tap every instance of it on the fretboard, which helps you tie everything together.
- Visualisation: picture the fretboard in your mind and answer questions about what we've covered. By actively recalling what you've learned, you're further strengthening your memory.
The learning path combines all of these to keep your practice fun and interesting and helps you learn through different angles. Some levels are 'timed', challenging you to be both fast and accurate.
The three ways to use this trainer
There are three ways to learn:
Why This Fretboard Trainer Is Different
I put a lot of thought into making this the best trainer I could think of. I'll point out the two most important things.
First, a big problem with many fretboard note apps is 'infinite practice'. They make you practice all the notes, every single time. It's hard to stick with, hard to feel progress and simply not very effective. It's better to master one area at a time. Think of it like cleaning a floor: you can throw around your mop and make everything a little cleaner. Or you can scrub one tile to make it perfectly clean. For mastery, and for motivation, the latter approach works better. This note trainer does this through custom practice (create your own quizzes) and the learning path (a guided progression).
Secondly, you can practice playing on your guitar, so you can build real muscle memory. The app has pitch recognition and gives you instant feedback on your answer. The goal is to be able to find all the notes, so that's what we should practice! If you're on the go though, you can still practice on your phone. Rotate to landscape and the first 12 frets fit on your screen.
Why I built this trainer
From two decades of teaching, I know that it doesn't have to be hard to memorise the fretboard. But also that most students put it off for years. Often they rely on fretboard tricks, where you're still doing mental math to figure out where a note is located. This guitar note trainer is about building instant recall, where you 'just know' what the notes are. With 10 minutes of practice a day, you can learn this in 2 to 3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this free?
You can start playing right away for free, no account needed. The first levels of the learning path and custom practice are completely free. A Game Pass unlocks all levels and features.
Do I need my guitar?
Not necessarily! You can tap notes on the on-screen fretboard or use your keyboard. When you do have your guitar, the app listens to what you play through your device's microphone for an even better practice experience.
Does this work on my phone?
Yes. The trainer is designed to work on phones, tablets, and computers. The fretboard is realistically sized and fits on a phone in landscape mode.
What tuning does it use?
Standard tuning (EADGBE). The trainer covers all notes from the open strings through fret 12.
Why is learning note names important for guitarists?
Knowing the fretboard unlocks everything else in your guitar playing. It's essential for understanding music theory, communicating with other musicians, reading chord charts, learning scales and modes, and navigating the fretboard with confidence. Most guitarists rely on patterns and shapes without really knowing what notes they're playing – learning note names transforms you from someone memorizing patterns into a musician who truly understands the instrument.