Fretboard Diagram Intervals
Release 2026.02.03
Fretboard Diagram Display Options
Now with Interval & Note Name Views
We've updated fretboard diagrams to give you the same powerful display flexibility you've enjoyed with chord diagrams.
By default, fretboard diagrams now show intervals relative to the root note of the selected scale or chord. You can also switch to note names whenever you prefer.
Why Intervals Are a Game-Changer (Default View)
In Interval mode, every note on the fretboard is labeled with its musical interval from the root (e.g., 1, ♭3, 3, 5, ♭7, etc.).
Take a basic major chord as an example: it’s built from just three essential notes:
1 — the root note
3 — the major third (gives the chord its bright, happy character)
5 — the perfect fifth (provides stability and power)
This interval-based view helps you:
Quickly spot and target key chord tones (like the all-important 3rd or 7th) in any position
Understand the musical function of each note, no matter what key you're in
Build stronger music theory intuition directly on the fretboard
Many guitarists find interval thinking unlocks the fretboard far better than absolute note names alone — especially for improvisation, soloing, and understanding chord/scale relationships.
Switch to Note Names When You Need Absolute Pitch
Sometimes you just want to see the actual pitches: A, C#, E♭, etc.
Toggle on the "Display notes by name" option and the diagram instantly updates to show letter names (including sharps/flats as appropriate).
This is perfect when:
You're drilling specific key signatures or fretboard memorization
Working on sight-reading or transcribing
Coordinating with other musicians who refer to absolute notes
Which View Should You Use?
Both options are valuable — and most strong players eventually use both depending on the goal:
Intervals → best for theory, patterns, relative thinking, improvisation, and "hearing" the music
Note names → best for absolute navigation, key-specific practice, and communication
The new controls let you switch instantly, so you can adapt the display to match your current learning focus — whether you're deep in theory mode or locking in pitches.
Give both views a try today! Experiment with a few scales and chords in each mode and see which one accelerates your progress the most right now.
