Find your way
around the fretboard.
Short note-finding sessions. Clear explanations. A place to revisit the notes that haven’t quite stuck yet. Pick up your practice, one fret at a time.
Preparing your workspace…
What is FretSteps?
FretSteps is a free guitar fretboard note trainer for standard six-string tuning. Short quizzes connect string and fret positions to note names, with explanations and local practice history.
How to use FretSteps
- Choose strings, a fret range and natural notes or all twelve pitch classes.
- Answer a 12-question practice or the 20-question daily challenge. Optional tones play on your device.
- Review first-answer accuracy and missed positions, then practice those positions again.
At a glance
| Instrument | Six-string guitar in standard E–A–D–G–B–E tuning |
|---|---|
| Range | Open strings through fret 12; no capo |
| Practice | 12-question sessions and a 20-question daily challenge |
| Progress | Stored locally in this browser; no account or cloud sync |
Common questions about FretSteps
Can I practice alternate tunings or a capo?
This version uses standard tuning without a capo. Alternate tunings and capo positions would change the note mapping and are not supported.
Why do C sharp and D flat share a position?
In the twelve-note system used here, those names describe the same pitch class. The tool lets you choose sharp or flat labels.
Can I use the history on another device?
Practice history stays in this browser’s local storage. There is no cross-device account sync. Clearing site data or using Clear local progress removes the stored record.
Understand the notes you’re finding.
FIELD NOTESBuild a map, one string at a time
Start with the open strings and a small part of the neck.
02 / GUIDEWhy C♯ and D♭ share a fret
Understand the twelve-note cycle and the repeat at fret 12.
03 / GUIDEA five-minute routine that leaves room to learn
Use the score as feedback, then spend time on the positions you missed.