dot system on the guitar

[vanhalen]

Is there a logical explanation behind it? I have wondered since I started playing...

[Bizarro]

it's all the odd number frets except the 12th (octave and even numbered)

[Zatz]

I have seen different dot systems and I must confess they matter for me. Some of them turned out quite confusing and I decided I should be totally independent of any kind of mark pattern. So I arrived at a conlusion that I should avoid looking at the fretboard too often while playing.

[vanhalen]

Originally posted by Bizarro
it's all the odd number frets except the 12th (octave and even numbered)
that was my first thought.. in the book "fretboard logic" the author says something like "that has to be one of the worst inventions"... anyway i think it's OK.

[Unhorizon]

well, if someone doesn't like the dot system, they can do whatever they like to their guitar. I don't know what you could do to cover up or change the dot without messing up the neck, but I'm sure theres something. Personally, I think it's a great system. If you use the same guitar for a week, I'm sure anyone can figure out that 2 dots means the 12th fret(on most guitar).

[Bizarro]

It's simple and it works... :)

Fortunately I studied classical for a few years (no dots on that guitar!) so I don't really care about dot location either. On my custom-built electric guitar I don't have any dots at all! :)

The dots can be limiting if you rely on them more than the actual sounds coming out of the guitar! Nobody cares if you're playing a note at the 9th fret. People do care if it sounds good! I think it's a good idea to try avoid looking at the neck while playing so you can free up your mind for more important stuff:D This will take a great deal of practice!

[John Tuohy]

My Carvin Allan Holdworth model doesn't have any dots on the fretboard, only at the top. I guess this solves some of the problem!

As an aside, I find that teaching kids where the notes are located on the guitar are greatly aided by using the dots as a guide. My students who don't have dots, or are missing a dot at the 3rd fret find it harder to find notes on the lower portion of the guitar.

John Tuohy

[Carvinite]

I dont pay much attention


anyways sorry to get off the subject how do you like ur allan holsworth carvin?

[John Tuohy]

My holdsworth Fatboy is amazing. Truly amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. And the price can't be beat. Go to www.carvin.com if you wanna check them out.


John Tuohy

[oRg]

My use for the dots is basically laziness. Just to see where I am on the fretboard when I'm moving too fast to actually play without looking. For the most part I can play rhythm without looking and just feel it out by memory. But when it comes to lead I need to look at the fretboard occassionaly.

[Rob]

I must be the worst player on Earth :D , so I find dots useful. I started playing on a Spanish guitar and I used to get lost on that fretboard. Dots have some logic into them, too. Brian May's guitar has two dots on 7th fret and three on 12th fret. Why 7th fret? Well, that's a fifth if you take the open string note as the root note of a scale.

Actually I only use dots when I'm playing fast runs or when I start making noise instead of music (something that happens more frequently that I would like). That feeling of "What the hell am I doing, man??", you know ;) . They're a fast way to escape from chaos.

But I agree: ears are the best dots :) .