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Practice routine

The 2‑Minute Guitar Fretboard Routine

Stop counting frets. Run a short session, check the speed heatmap, then repeat your slowest note until it becomes automatic.

Start Open Strings

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Routine

The 5-step routine

  1. 1
    Pick a preset (start small).

    Beginner path: Open Strings → Low E string → A string → expand.

  2. 2
    Run a 2-minute session.

    Aim for 30-40 answers. Use the Finish button to review.

    Start your first session
  3. 3
    Check the heatmap.

    Green = fast, red = slow. The brighter the red, the more you hesitated.

  4. 4
    Target your slowest note.

    Run another session. When that note appears, be ready—make it automatic.

  5. 5
    Move on when ready.

    Progress when median response time drops below ~2 seconds.

Want this automated?

Want this automated?

FretGenius walks you through this routine daily, tracks your progress, and includes a Play Along mode for practicing with real music.

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Heatmap

Read the speed heatmap

The heatmap turns response time into color so you can spot weak notes instantly.

  • Green = fast answers
  • Yellow = medium speed
  • Red = slow (you are still counting)

Correct-but-slow still counts. Speed is the skill.

Sample fretboard speed heatmap
Sample speed heatmap (colors show response time, not just accuracy).

Quick start

Preset progression

Start small, then expand your scope as each set turns green.

Landmark Frets

Intermediate

Anchor frets 3, 5, 7, and 9 so the neck feels smaller.

Start Landmarks

Full Range 0-12

Advanced

Work open to 12th fret and smooth the entire map.

Start Full Range

Modes

Two modes

Note Finder (note → position)

See a note name, tap where it lives. This is the fastest way to build real fretboard recall.

Start Note Finder

Name That Note (position → note)

See a highlighted fret, name the note. Great for flipping the prompt and reinforcing the map.

Start Name That Note

Quick tips

  • Consistency beats volume: 2 minutes daily > 1 hour weekly.
  • Practice without a guitar (commute, waiting room).
  • Rotate your phone to landscape and try fullscreen.

Add it to your home screen

Add to your home screen for one-tap fullscreen practice.

Install guide

Ready? Do one 2-minute run now.

Start Open Strings
Start Open Strings