The Guitar Note Trainer is an app to help you learn the notes on the guitar neck - one of the most essential skills for progressing guitarists!
It has four training modes, Name The Note where you have to name the note shown on the neck, Find A Note where you have to find a given note on the neck in all 6 positions, Memory Quiz 1 where you have to name a note having been given it's position, and Memory Quiz 2 where you must name all the notes across a given fret (a tough one!!).
There are some "Easy" options for those just starting out to limit your range of answers.
You also have an audio option to hear the notes as you select them!
If you really need to cheat you can swipe your finger diagonally across the fretboard and all the notes will show for a second :)
I'm sure you'll find this app very helpful, all you need to add is practice time!
Best wishes, Justin
Version history
2.17
2020-06-12
We've added a reference fretboard section to the app to show you all the notes on the fretboard for revision. We've also added options to allow you to choose which strings and which notes (whole notes only or all notes) are tested in the training modes. We've also updated the screen layouts so that they fit better on X style screens.
Please keep telling us what you think about the app and how we can improve it.
2.11
2018-02-19
This update fixes the issue with note input for left handed users. Please keep telling us what you think about the app and how we can improve it.
2.00
2017-11-03
Thanks to everyone for their feedback and ideas for the app. This update makes the app compatible with iOS 11.
1.1
2013-03-11
Bug fixes
1.0
2013-02-20
Download Guitar Fretboard Note Trainer on Android and iPhone for free
I’ve looked at a bunch of other apps for guitar training. This is the best! In terms of UI and UX, Justin Guitar outdoes everything else by far.
Using this app has rapidly increased my note recognition on the guitar neck. Because it has several approaches to training it builds knowledge solidly.
It’s easy and intuitive. Other apps leave me lost and unable to figure out what to do. Some have a crowded UI. Justin makes it obvious and fast to get busy learning.
Thaxn,
Great start - few bugs
When I saw a Justin Sandercoe App, I knew it was going to be good. In 10 minutes the Octaves Method stuck in my head better than in the previous 3 weeks. Perfect for where I am on Justin's intermediate method.
There are a few bugs. Adjusting the volume is kludgy. Using the buttons on the iPad you could only adjust the volume when a note was playing, otherwise it was just adjusting the sound effects. Similar effect on the iPhone 5. When a note wasn't actively ringing out, the buttons defaulted to the ringer. A few times the sound cut off entirely on the iPhone.
I haven't tried the Memory Quiz options yet, but it is already worth more than the purchase price.
Vinny Johnson,
Useful; Doesn’t include different tunings.
I’ve played guitar for 4 years. I’m the lead guitarist for a metal band, and I’m having trouble writing new music because I don’t know theory. I figured I’d start at fretboard memorization.
We mostly play in Drop C# and C# Standard, so I consequently need to learn the notes for both of those tunings. This app has helped me learn the notes for standard tuning, which is a great start.
I feel that the app could be improved, however, by allowing you to customize your learning experience by selecting different tunings, or even simply by adjusting the open note of a string.
dbh_58,
Works great!
I had struggled with learning the notes on the fretboard......once I started “playing” with this app like a game app.....using it a lot; I realized I was able to find & recognize notes all over the fretboard. The key is to “play” all of the “games” switching between them......the more you do the better you get! Kind of like “practice makes perfect”.......👍🏻 It works fine on my iPad with iOS 12.1.4 update. Thanks for making this app.
Jeffreystafford,
Amazing app
I bought Justin’s guitar theory PDF to understand a few basic rules on how to find notes by simply memorizing 6 notes on strings 5 and 6. After an hour on the app, I could name every note on the fretboard. Now I’m starting to use the timer to get quicker at finding them. Worth every penny. Well done, Justin. This app Rocks!
DustyRhodes,
Good Support from the developer!
Was having an issue on quiz 2 where only the 5th, 10th and 12th fret were only showing up. I had selected whole notes only in the settings and those three frets are the only ones that have whole notes across the entire fret for those positions. The developers made fast contact with me via email and explained what was going on after I sent an inquiry.
coggel,
So helpful!
I’ve played guitar casually for 20 years. Never learned more than a few landmark notes. After 2 hours with this app and I finally have a mental map of the whole fretboard. The simplicity and instant feedback is so helpful.
Wongehchuu,
It's ok.
It could use a lot of work. Sometimes I have to tap the notes several times before it will actually register. The way you want to practice should be customizable as well. I would like to be able to practice notes on each string individually and it would've been useful to have that option. It's still not the worst, but not worth paying for.
bchopper,
Fun and Supports learning
This app is fun and challenging. We become better guitarists when we are familiar with all of the notes on the fretboard. Justin has done a great job with this app. I'm going to use it with my guitar students. Thanks Justin.
LastStarFighter,
Quickly learning
I'll have found the section find the note to be not only effective but fun to play.