📍 Stage 4 of 5

Note Hunter

Use kink positions and fret markers to find any note instantly

The Kink Method

Now that you know where the kinks live, use them as anchors. Instead of counting from open every time, count from the nearest kink — usually only 2-3 frets away.

1

Find the Nearest Kink

Is your target closer to E→F or B→C?

2

Count From That Kink

Start from F or C (the note right after the kink), count up or down to your target.

3

You're There!

The kink gave you a head start — less counting, faster note-finding.

Example: Find "G" on the 5th String (A)

Know your kinks: B→C at frets 2→3, E→F at frets 7→8
Which is closer to G? E→F kink (fret 8) — F is only 2 frets from G
Answer: Fret 10 (F at 8 → F# at 9 → G at 10)

Fret Marker Shortcuts

The dots on your fretboard (frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 12) are landmarks worth memorizing. Focus on fret 5 and fret 12 first — they're all natural notes.

Notes at Key Fret Markers

Fret 6th (E) 5th (A) 4th (D) 3rd (G) 2nd (B) 1st (E)
5 A D G C E A
7 B E A D F♯ B
12 E A D G B E
📌

Start with Fret 5 & 12

Fret 5 and fret 12 have no sharps or flats — just natural notes. They're the easiest to memorize. Fret 7 is worth learning next, but note the F♯ on the B string.

How Markers Connect to Kinks

Fret 7
On the E strings, fret 7 = B — exactly where the B→C kink starts. The marker and kink overlap.
Fret 12
The octave — all notes repeat, so all kink positions repeat too. Learn frets 0-12, and you know the entire fretboard.

Try It: Find Any Note

Practice the method before the quiz. Pick a string and target note, and see how the kink positions help you find it.

Select a string and note above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
-
-
-
-
-
- ●
-
- ●
-
-
-
-
- ●●

Using Both Together

You now have two navigation systems: kink positions and fret markers. In real playing, you'll naturally use whichever is closer to your target. Practice enough, and you'll stop counting entirely — you'll just *know* where the notes are.

Quick Examples on the 6th String (E)

Find: C Fret 8
Best Anchor: B→C Kink (fret 7-8)
B (fret 7) → C (fret 8)
The kink IS the answer — C is the note right after the B→C squeeze.
Find: D Fret 10
Best Anchor: From C (fret 8)
C (fret 8) → C# → D (fret 10)
Count 2 frets from C — faster than counting 10 from open.

Practice Mindset

🎯
Start Slow, Build Speed

At first, consciously choose your anchor. With practice, your brain will auto-select the fastest path — eventually you'll just *know* where notes are.

🧩
Connect to Chords

Once you know where notes are, finding chord tones becomes instant. E minor? That's E, G, B — now you know where all three live.

Ready to Hunt Some Notes?

The practice section below tests your ability to find notes using kinks and markers. Start with "Find the Note" — given a string and note name, locate the fret.

Kink navigation Fret marker recall Counting intervals
↓

Practice: Note Hunter

Test your ability to find and identify notes using kinks and markers. Complete all challenges to unlock Stage 5.

Find the Note

Question 1 of 10
On the 6th string (E), where is the note G?
💡 Nearest kink: E→F at Open→1. G is 3 frets from E (open).