Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hi,

i really like the approach of learning sounds, not shapes. i recently went over learning the fretboard without memorization and c major scale (on 1 string) videos. how can i learn the others notes everywhere since they dont sound the same? so for example, C on the second string on the first fret doesnt sound the same as C somewhere else on the fretboard. Given this, what would be the recommendation to learn what the other notes are across the entire fretboard and also when im using more than 1 string, to recognize its a chord in the C key for example.

thank you in advance and if i missed anything on the first few videos please do let me know :D

Hi Thiago,

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking to, for example, learn all the C notes on the fret board and other notes, too? When you say you want learn the the others but they don't sound the same? Do you mean learning the C note on all string sets and trying to hear the octave differences?

Without understanding your question exactly I'd say learn solfege and you can say learn the C notes and understand the Do-Do from one C note to the octave. And even doing this for all notes and intervals between notes.

Now, while my perspective has shifted since joining GW and I agree learning shapes shouldn't be the way to learn notes or chords, I do think shapes still can help you to encode information on top of deep learning that Tomo suggests. So, if you have your first finger on C on the 5th string-3rd fret and your middle finger is on the 3rd string-5th fret, then you have another C note. Maybe note the quality and understand the Do-Do connection. And do this with all intervals with respect to one note and expand. Also, if you have your finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string and the 3rd fret on the 1st string then you have a 6th between them.

I have always been a proponent of chunking and combining information to make it as accessible as possible and also allows for multiple memory encoding connections within the brain.

Yes! Learn those note names Thiago!
So smart to get after it. Don't expect too fast though. You are getting there. It's a long journey.
It took me pure hard work over a few months to have the note names really sink in.

I wish I had used Tomo's one string C scale method on all strings to learn the note names. That would be the best way

Lots of repetitions. Slow, consistent work on learning them. You can just practice in your mind without your guitar. I use an app on my phone called Tenuto that quizzes you on all kinds of music theory including note names,

I had a problem concentrating on what I was learning because I was beating myself up over not knowing the note names being discussed in the lesson. I felt a sense of freedom when I really knew all the note names. I'm so glad I put in the work.
Keep us posted on your progress!

Kurt

Hi Thiago ! You're so amazing , I'm in the way to learn the notes , too .
So happy we are working for this deep and pure work !

I’m try this is few months , at the first , totally can say , something can't be understand ... But after a few months , it's gradually be familiar , like go some place first is strange , but more time to go I can capture the scenery along the way , feeling is changed !

You can do this and get there !

Let's keep going to one string one finger ✨

Great choice to learn Thiago! C scale is a great first step. Most likely we all started in that place, great question, yet BIG. The book series is going to provide much of what you are seeking only in small steps with good reasons. Learning to read the music and place the finger and understanding notes. The single string will have those same notes in a line as the music does in 1st position, practice both equally acending and descending. Note interval is key, learn to read the book too, single string steps 'Root is Fruit' start and end with it, there you go, two notes same :) pick a fruit! - johno

Thiago! What a wonderful place to start! As others have mentioned, this type of learning is deep and takes time. Your guitar journey is both a personal and a shared experience. While each person's path is unique, the struggles, joys, and everything in between are similar for everyone. Remember: don't worry, don't compare, don't expect too fast, and be kind to yourself!

Thank you Jiayang & Johno for sharing your experiences!

Tomo