Chords and Scales – Virtual Fretboard
How to use the virtual fretboard: Select a root note from drop-down menu 1. Next select a scale from drop-down 2, or a chord type from drop-down 3. When selecting either a scale or chord you can also display intervals (a color-coded display of the intervals included in either the chord or scale selected). Lastly, when selecting a chord, you can also select different chord voicings, using the ‘voicings’ buttons. If at any time you wish to return to the default fretboard with all notes showing, simply select ‘none’ from drop-down menu 1.
Standard tuning (EADGBE) is a fundamental aspect of modern guitar playing, tracing its roots back to the Renaissance era’s rise in guitar popularity. This tuning has evolved alongside instrument advancements and musical styles.
Tuning to Standard Tuning
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 6th string: E | Tune low E string to E2. |
| 5th String: A | Fifth fret of low E matches open A. |
| 4th String: D | Fifth fret of A matches open D. |
| 3rd String: G | Fifth fret of D matches open G. |
| 2nd String: B | Fourth fret of G matches open B. |
| 1st String: E | Fifth fret of B matches open high E. |
| Double-Check | Ensure all strings are in tune relative to each other. |
String Gauges and Setup
No special considerations.
* Ensure all strings are in tune relative to each other.
Why E-A-D-G-B-E?
The standard tuning of E-A-D-G-B-E offers a functional compromise between scales and chords. Tuning the guitar in perfect fourths, for instance, would simplify the fretboard layout for scales and single-note runs, making them more straightforward. But, this would complicate chord playing significantly. Chord shapes, especially for commonly used chords like C or F major, would demand wider finger stretches across more frets, which would be uncomfortable for many players. Standard tuning alleviates this by incorporating a major third interval between the G and B strings, reducing the need for extensive stretching while still accommodating scales reasonably well.
Standard tuning also facilitates the use of barre chords, thanks to the octave relationship between the 1st and 6th strings. Essentially, the rationale behind the conventional tuning of guitars is to balance the ease of playing both chords and scales without overly compromising one aspect for the sake of the other. While instruments like the violin are tuned in fifths and favour smaller fretboards and solo note play (since chords are not typically utilized), the guitar’s design and tuning reflect a versatile approach to accommodate a wide range of musical expressions.
Useful Chord Shapes
In standard guitar tuning, a major concept for navigating the fretboard is the CAGED system. This system is based on five open chord shapes: C, A, G, E, and D.
Each of these shapes can be moved up the neck with the use of a barre, effectively allowing guitarists to play chords in any key using familiar shapes. Among these, the A and E barre chord shapes are important in their own right.
The CAGED system not only helps in understanding the fretboard but also in linking chord shapes with scales and arpeggios, enriching the guitarist’s improvisational skills.