Guitar Fretboard in 3D
A New Way To Look At The Freboard
If you follow FaChords Guitar for some time, you already know that I try to help understand the fretboard in the most effective ways (with lessons, interactive tools, and ebooks with advanced
diagrams). In this post, I want to propose a new way to look at the fretboard, using the third dimension.
Yep, I've created a 3d model of the fretboard (using an open-source CAD software, FreeCAD), basically a sort of LEGO guitar fretboard, that hopefully will give you some insights on how to navigate the fretboard.
In this model, the heights of the frets are proportional to the pitches, so that you can visualize the different sounds on the neck. For example, the height of the A note on the 6th string (5th fret), is equal to the fret 0 of the 5th string (that is still an A)
This is just an experiment, so please write me a message or share comments and feedback in the section below. Happy fretboard!
3D Model of The Guitar Fretboard
The heights of the frets are proportional to their pitches
Each note is mapped with its own color:
You can download the FreeCad 3d fretboard model here (warning: this is only for CAD users, because you'll need FreeCAD to open this file. Anyway, I've planned to create a 3d interactive version for you all, stay tuned) .
Hope you've found these images useful. If you have feedback please write me, and don't forget to subscribe to get updates and free guitar pdf.
FAQ
What is the core concept behind this 'Guitar Fretboard in 3D' model?
This 3D model offers a novel perspective on the guitar fretboard by introducing a third dimension where the height of each fret corresponds to its musical pitch. It's designed to help guitarists visualize and understand the relationships between notes across the neck in a more intuitive way.
How does the 3D model visually represent musical pitch?
In this model, the heights of the individual fret positions are directly proportional to their pitches. This means higher notes are represented by taller structures, allowing you to see how pitches ascend and descend across the strings and frets. For example, any two notes of the same pitch, like the A on the 6th string (5th fret) and the open 5th string A, are depicted at the same height.
What do the different colors used in the 3D fretboard model signify?
Each unique musical note (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B) is assigned its own distinct color. This color-coding system helps guitarists easily identify and track specific notes as they appear in various positions across the fretboard, enhancing pattern recognition.
How can visualizing the fretboard in this 3D manner help me as a guitarist?
This 3D visualization, where pitch is represented by height, can provide deeper insights into how to navigate the fretboard. By seeing the vertical relationships of notes, you can better understand octaves, intervals, and how the same pitch can be found in multiple locations, which is fundamental for understanding scales, chords, and arpeggios.