The metal vertical strips on the neck are known as the frets. A note is played by pressing your finger in the position between the frets and striking the string with a guitar pick. Fretboard Map Beolow: E||-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-| B||-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-| G||---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---| D||---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-| A||---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-| E||-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|---|-E-|-F-|---|-G-| III V VII IX XII XV The labeled notes in the above diagram are known as Natural notes. The unlabeled notes are known as sharps(#) and/or flats(b). For example, the note on the E string between the F and G note is known as either an F sharp (F#) or a G flat (Gb). A sharp indicates the Natural notes pitch is raised a semi-tone, a flat note is the natural pitch lowered a semi-tone. As you can see, the guitar has 12 notes: A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G# (Notice that there is no B# (aka Cb) nor is there an E# (or Fb). This is a universal rule in music.) You will notice that there are many places on the guitar neck to play an A note. Some of these are the same pitch and sound exactly alike. Others may sound different. They are still A notes, but in a different pitch. Also note that on your guitar neck, you probably see round dots on the guitar neck which mark the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th frets and so on. These are used as a guide when playing, so you do not need to count frets all the time.
For The Self Exploring Guitarist Remember the open notes of each string. E - A - D - G - B - E, starting from the 6th string (the thickest one, ie). Make a pattern if you cannot... something like Every Alternate Day Good Became Evil. This is the most basic thing you must know about a guitar.
