Absolute Fretboard Trainer Review
(Absolute Fretboard Trainer | Posted 2001-07-25)
The Absolute Fretboard Trainer is a must have piece of software for all guitar players. Knowing the names of the notes on the guitar is one of the most important and most neglected topics of study for guitar players. Fretboard knowledge opens up the door to a whole new level of playing. It can improve your understanding of how music theory is applied to the guitar. It will help you understand chords and scales in a whole new way that will help with improvisation and song writing. The Absolute Fretboard Trainer is the tool to help you open this door.
The Absolute Fretboard Trainer is not just a piece of software; it is also your guide to learning the neck of the guitar. There are 18 built in lessons that will take you through the ins and outs of how to use the program, as well as different aproaches to help you master the fretboard. Unlike other similar software products, this one gives you the ability choose exactly what part of the neck you want to be drilled on. If you want to work on the notes on the 3rd and 4th strings, frets 9 through 12, no problem. You just set the range of the area that you want to work on and you are off.
Another plus of the Absolute Fretboard Trainer is that it has 4 different ways that you can have the program drill you. The first is called "Pacing position-to-note". You will choose the area of the fretboard that you want work on, and set the metronome for how fast you want the program to test you. Then you will see a dot indicating a particular note, and you need to name the note before the answer shows up. The program will drill you at a steady pace that you choose. When you become comfortable at a slower speed, just bump up the metronome a few notches and give yourself a challenge.
The next drill is called "pacing note-to-position". This time you are asked a note by name, and you will have to click on the correct position on the neck. Like the first drill you will need to give your answers at a constant rate that you set.
If the two previous exercises are too stressful at first, the next two allow you to answer at a more leisurely pace. They are "Q&A position-to-note" and "Q&A note-to-position". They are the same as their pacing counter parts, but with the Q&A you have all the time in the world to give you answer. The Q&A modes do give you the option to set a timer from one to five seconds if you want to put some kind of time restriction on yourself.
Bottom Line:
If you play the guitar, then you should make a concentrated effort to master the names of the notes on the guitar. The Absolute Fretboard Trainer is the best tool on the market to help you achieve that goal. From it’s realistic looking guitar fretboard, to its full range of features. Lessons to help you find the correct path to fretboard enlightenment and a fully customizable learning environment. And last but not least, a very reasonable price of $18.75 (US) for the single user version. Versions are also available for multiple users and a multiple computer license. There is also a demo of the program available for download so that you can try it out for yourself. As a professional guitar teacher, I can not recommend this program enough.
Editor's Note: Absolute Fretboard Trainer also has different backgrounds to represent different types of guitar fretboards including maple, rosewood, ebony and other woods. Also, you can change to 4, 5 or 6 string bass guitar string configurations so this is also an excellent tool for the bass players out there!
For purchasing information and to check out the demo, go to the Absolute Fretboard Trainer website.
http://www.absolutefretboard.com
