Fretboard Gym is a focused practice tool designed to help guitarists build strong fretboard awareness using familiar CAGED scale positions.
The app trains you to quickly recognise notes and chord tones within each shape so you can move around the neck with confidence.
Getting Started
When the app opens, you will see the Training Setup screen.
Here you choose:
- Key – the major scale used for the drill
- CAGED Shape – the scale position on the neck
- Training Mode
Once selected, start the drill to begin practicing.
Training Modes
Note Recognition
You will be shown a note, for example:
Find: A
Tap the correct location on the fretboard.
All correct answers will then be highlighted so you can see every position of that note within the shape.
This mode helps you quickly learn where notes exist across the neck.
Chord Tone Training
This mode trains you to locate the key chord tones:
- Root (1)
- Third (3)
- Fifth (5)
These tones form the foundation of chords and melodic playing.
Example prompt:
Find the THIRD
Reference View
The Reference tab shows a visual guide to the CAGED shapes.
Colours indicate the key chord tones:
- Green – Root
- Blue – Third
- Orange – Fifth
This view can be used as a quick study reference before or after drills.
Note: Some shapes are truncated to keep the display within four frets for clarity.
Drill Sessions
Each session contains 10 questions.
At the end of the drill you will see your score and can:
- Restart the drill
- Change the training settings
Short, repeated drills are the best way to build speed and accuracy.
Practice Tips
For best results:
• Start slowly and focus on accuracy
• Practice different keys and shapes
• Try to recognise the notes without counting frets
• Gradually increase your speed
Consistent short sessions will quickly improve fretboard awareness.
Feedback
If you have suggestions or encounter a problem, you can send feedback from the Settings screen.
About Fretboard Gym
Fretboard Gym was created to provide focused training that builds fretboard competence within defined parameters.
The goal is simple:
Learn where the important notes are — and learn them well.