⑩ Visualize a String Instrument Fretboard
A tool that colors the fretboard of a string instrument based on the information of any scale or chord.
* If you want to search for a chord name from its notes → ③ Reverse Lookup for Chord/Scale Names
* Guitarists and other string-instrument players → there is also ⑪ Reverse Lookup for Chord/Scale Names from the Fretboard.
[Tuning Detail Settings]
You can set the number of strings and the tuning of each string individually.
If you change settings such as "Tuning Type" or "Number of Frets", everything is overwritten by those settings.
[Tuning Types]
We have compiled the tunings of major string instruments such as the guitar, bass, and violin.
Just choose one from the dropdown list, and the corresponding fretboard is drawn.
If the tuning you want to look up is not in the list, you can change it in the tuning settings at the bottom of the screen.
[Number of Frets]
You can specify a value from 1 to 30 in the dropdown list.
[Note Notation]
You can choose from four note-notation systems for the fretboard's note names: English/American, Italian, Japanese, and German.
If you are a beginner, the Italian notation (Do, Re, Mi, ...) may feel more familiar.
[Switching Handedness]
You can switch between the right-handed and left-handed display with the handedness toggle button.
[Specifying Chords and Scales]
Switch between the chord and scale dropdown lists by tapping the "Go to ... Screen" button.
[Coloring Rules]
Notes are colored relative to the specified tonic (root note), in a movable-do manner.
For example, the tonic (root note) is blue, and the perfect 5th is yellow.
Also, enharmonic notes share the same color.
For example, the major 3rd and the diminished 4th are both green.
[Scale Information]
On the scale screen, the name of the scale and related information are displayed.
[Chord Information]
How to read the chord and detailed information are displayed.
For chords with a dominant function, the main chords they resolve to are also shown.
* The main resolution targets are determined based on the augmented 4th interval contained in the chord.
Chords shown in red are hybrid chords. (Example: B♭/C)
Blue chords are USTs (upper structure triads). (Example: D/C)
[Check the Sound by Ear]
In the list of common chords containing the selected notes, clicking (tapping) a chord name plays that chord's sound.
To stop the sound while it is playing, click (tap) anywhere on the screen.
[Volume Adjustment]
You can adjust the volume with the volume bar.
If no sound plays, check that the volume of your playback device itself is not turned off.
Also, no sound may play if your device is in silent mode.
[Handling of Enharmonic Notes]
This page does not make a strict distinction between enharmonic notes.
Reference article: Enharmonic Equivalents Explained [What Is the Difference Between C# and D♭?] (Japanese)
[Accuracy of Information]
The information provided here may not be accurate.
Of course, we take the greatest care in publishing information and materials.
However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the published content.
If you find any incorrect information, we would appreciate it if you could let us know via the contact form.
[Disclaimer]
We accept no responsibility whatsoever, for any reason, for any damage arising in connection with the use or download of the information and materials published on this site.
[About the Forte Number]
It is a "number assigned to a set of three or more pitches (a scale set)," proposed by Allen Forte.
Scales sharing the same Forte number have the same "structure of scale notes".
For example, the major scale and the natural minor scale have the same pattern of intervals, just starting from a different position.
Therefore, the major scale and the natural minor scale are assigned the same Forte number, "7-35".
[About the Scale Number]
It is "a number obtained by expressing a scale's notes as a 12-digit binary number and converting it to decimal."
For example, let's take the C major scale (Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti).
If we mark the scale's notes as "1" and the other notes as "0", the C major scale can be written as "10101011010101".
We reverse this "10101011010101" to process it as a binary number.
Converting the reversed "101011010101" to decimal gives "2741", so the major scale's Scale number is "2741".
[Why Know the Common Scales Containing a Chord's Notes]
A chord's role changes depending on the surrounding flow and its position relative to the key being used.
Information about the common scales containing a chord's notes will be a helpful reference for modal interchange and for modulating to another key.
[About Negative Harmony Theory]
A way of thinking that divides the circle of fifths between the tonic of the key and its perfect 5th, and holds that "notes in symmetrical positions are interchangeable".
It is a theory proposed by Ernst Levy and said to have become widely known through Jacob Collier.
[About Quartal Chords]
A "quartal chord" is a chord built by stacking notes a fourth apart, starting from the root note.
Here, "fourth" refers to the "perfect 4th" and the "augmented 4th" (since the "diminished 4th" is the enharmonic equivalent of the "major 3rd").
There is still no widely agreed-upon chord-name notation for quartal chords.
Therefore, the chord names used on this site are only one example and, at least as of 2024, cannot be called a common notation.
◆ Making You Understand "the Notes on the Fretboard" (Japanese)
A video introducing how to grasp the notes on a guitar fretboard, and how to use this app.
◆ 7 Chords Guitar Beginners Should Learn, and Why [With TAB] (Japanese)
An article with a curated selection of recommended chords for accompaniment and playing while singing.
◆ Guitar Chord Charts Without Open Strings (Japanese)
A PDF score (with TAB) compiling "chord forms that do not use open strings" for 30+ chords.
◆ Guitar Chord Charts Using Open Strings (Japanese)
A PDF score (with TAB) compiling a large number of "chord forms that use open strings".
◆ [Music Theory Learning Roadmap] Where Should You Start Studying Music Theory? (Japanese)
An article summarizing how to approach learning music theory.
◆ Slash Chords Explained [Inversions / UST / Hybrid Chords] (Japanese)
An article explaining the types and roles of slash chords.
◆ Substitute Chords, and the Concept of USTs and Hybrid Chords (Japanese)
An article summarizing how to think about substitute chords, USTs (upper structure triads), and hybrid chords.
◆ The Story of Making an App to Easily Explore Negative Harmony (Japanese)
An article summarizing an overview of negative harmony.
[Web]
◆ Interview: Jacob Collier (Part 1) (YouTube)
◆ How to Name or Notate Quartal Chords (YouTube)
[Books]
◆ Blue Notes and Tonality: Fundamental Theory for Improvisation and Composition (Japanese)
Author: Motohiko Hamase
First edition: 1998/12/11
Publisher: Zen-On Music
Authors: Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoshio Otani
First edition: 2010/5/1
Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
Authors: Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoshio Otani
First edition: 2010/5/1
Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
◆ More! A Book for Composing Just the Way You Want (Japanese)
Author: Ken Kawamura
First edition: 2018/6/25
Publisher: Rittor Music
◆ Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Japanese edition)
Author: Steve Vai
First edition: 2019/10/17
Publisher: Shinko Music
* As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Affiliate links work as follows: when a user (you) purchases a product via the link, the site operator (me) receives a commission from the advertiser.
No financial gain or loss occurs on the user's (your) side.
The linked products are ones I have actually found to be good, and the content of this site is not influenced by advertisers.