Since our 6th string is tuned to an E, we can count up the string using the alphabet and determine the notes along the way. You can see from Fig. 6 that we're playing an F on the first fret, and a G on the third fret. So what's the note on the 2nd fret? That's right... an F#.
Now try it on the 5th string, which starts with A. What are the notes as you move up the neck?
You should have said A-Bb-B-C-C#-D...
Now here's a guitar player's tip:
Start thinking of the frets according to the letters you see in Fig. 6. Think of the 3rd fret as the "G" fret. Think of the 5th fret as the "A" fret. Notice that your guitar may have fret markers at key frets on the neck. Once you start playing moveable chords and scales, these markers will be your friends.
Also, remember when I said that the 12th fret is a magical fret? Since there are 12 notes in the musical alphabet, the notes start over every 12 frets, so many of the same things that apply on a given fret also apply 12 frets above. If that is confusing to you, don't worry about it. As you understand more and more about the guitar, it will become clearer.
