Reading the Fretboard

Most guitarists learn the fretboard by reading along each string. The NANDI method introduces a second way of reading—across the strings. By using the guitar’s tuning and a simple pattern of fourths, you can identify notes quickly without memorizing individual fret locations.

The Pattern of Fourths

The seven musical letters can be arranged in the order of fourths:

B – E – A – D – G – C – F

This is the foundation of the NANDI method, so memorize this sequence.

Mnemonic

Bacon Eggs And Donuts Gain Calories Fast

B – E – A – D – G – C – F

What Is a Fourth?

A fourth spans four letter names.

Examples:
• B → E
• E → A
• A → D
• D → G
• G → C
• C → F

Count the letters:

E – F – G – A = 4

The only exception in standard tuning is:

G → B

G – A – B = 3 letters (a major 3ʳᵈ)

Fourths in Standard Tuning

The open strings are arranged almost entirely in fourths.

E → A = Perfect 4ᵗʰ (+5 half-steps)

A → D = Perfect 4ᵗʰ (+5 half-steps)

D → G = Perfect 4ᵗʰ (+5 half-steps)

G → B = Major 3ʳᵈ (+4 half-steps)

B → E = Perfect 4ᵗʰ (+5 half-steps)

Finding the Natural Pattern

Start with the open B string and read across the strings.

B → E → A → D → G

Because of the G–B tuning difference, move one fret higher to continue:

C → F

You have now identified all seven natural notes in fourth order.

The Same Pattern at the 7ᵗʰ Fret

The fourth pattern also appears on the 7ᵗʰ fret.

Read from left to right:

B → E → A → D

Continue across:

G → C

Finish with:

The pattern never changes.

Flat Pattern

Add flats to every note in the fourth pattern.

B♭- E♭- A♭- D♭- G♭- C♭- F♭

Enharmonic Notes

C♭ = B

F♭ = E

Although they sound the same, we keep the names C♭ and F♭ when the musical context requires every scale degree to use a different letter.

Example:

C♭ Major

C♭ D♭ E♭ F♭ G♭ A♭ B♭

Using E instead of F♭ would repeat the letter E, which is not correct.

For reading the fretboard, replace these enharmonic notes with their natural equivalents:

B♭- E♭- A♭- D♭- G♭- B- E

First-Fret Shortcut

Beginning on F, the fourth pattern continues with five flats:

F– B♭- E♭- A♭- D♭- G♭

Sharp Pattern

Add sharps to every note in the fourth pattern.

B♯ – E♯ – A♯ – D♯ – G♯ – C♯ – F♯

(Insert Sharp Pattern Diagram)

Again, two notes are enharmonic:

B♯ = C

E♯ = F

When locating notes on the fretboard, replace them with their natural names:

C – F – A♯ – D♯ – G♯ – C♯ – F♯

The Complete Fourth Pattern

The three patterns connect together.

Natural:
B – E – A – D – G – C – F

After F, continue with five flats:

B♭ – E♭ – A♭ – D♭ – G♭

Or continue with five sharps:

A♯ – D♯ – G♯ – C♯ – F♯

After F♯, the natural pattern begins again: