These exercises are taken from the PraxTrax.org Complete Fretboard Course.
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The 7 Fret Rule

When discussing other strings I've referred to what I call The 7 Fret Rule. This is more of an observation than a "rule", because, as I have pointed out in other places, it is just the result of the way the guitar is tuned.

The 7 Fret Rule simply says that you can find the same note, an octave higher, 7 frets further up the neck on the next string.

So, for example, you find C at A3 and an octave higher seven frets further up the neck on the D string at D10, and another 7 frets higher up the neck at G17.

Or, to give you another example, A is at A open , and on the next string - the D string - A is seven frets further up the neck at D7, and another 7 frets higher on the G string at G14.

You can think about this "backwards" too. For example, if you know that C is at D10, you also know that C (an octave lower) is at A3. And if you know that A8 is F, then you also know that F (an octave lower) can be found at E1.

This is actually a good reason to learn the notes above the 12th fret. For example, if you know that D15 is F, you will also know that F an octave lower is at A8, and an octave lower again at E1.

We'll look at the notes above fret 12 in a later lesson.

The "5 Fret Lower" Corollary

In a previous lesson I also mentioned that when dealing with notes above the fifth fret, you will find the same note on the adjacent string 5 frets lower. For example, C is at E8 and at A3 - five frets lower - as well as at A15 - 12 frets (an octave further up the neck) and seven frets higher than on the E string.

Don't be confused by this. It is simply the result of the fact that there are 12 frets in an octave. Just think of this as a helpful "corollary" or sub-rule of The 7 Fret Rule, namely...

When a note is on the 5th fret or higher, you will find the same note 5 frets lower on the next string up.

To give you an obvious example, E5 is the same note (A) as Aopen (5 frets lower). And another example: G is at A10 and at D5 (five frets lower).

As "rules" go, you may find The 7 Fret Rule less helpful than the other two I have mentioned (The BEAD-G Rule and The 2+2 Rule). But anything that helps you understand the overall structure of the fretboard will help you become a better, more intelligent guitar player!

The 7 Fret Rule - A and D Strings

In this exercise we focus on the way a note on the A string is found an octave higher on the D string. We'll see how the 5 Fret Lower thing works too.

The 7 Fret Rule - D and G Strings

7 Fret Rule A-D-G Strings

Try this one if you're feeling confident. It goes pretty fast, so be on your toes.

These exercises are taken from the PraxTrax.org Complete Fretboard Course.
More Free Exercises