Learning the basics of music theory is essential.

And even beginner guitar players can benefit a lot from it!

A little theory goes a long way, and understanding what you're doing will help you improve your guitar playing. It also helps you connect your skills with your musical imagination! :)

In this lesson, we'll take a look at The Note Circle. You'll also have a better understanding of sharps, flats, and enharmonic equivalents.

Let's start from the very beginning.

What Is The Note Circle

The Note Circle is a circle that shows all 12 notes that we use in western music. Pictured below, you can see you've got your basic A-G notes. Between those notes, you've got some sharps and flats.

The note circle for guitar music theory

The Note Circle Explained In 5 Steps:

Each step around the "clock face" of the Note Circle is a semitone.
On your guitar, each fret represents one semitone.
We call two intervals between two notes a tone.
One full lap around the note circle is an octave.
Depending on what you play, you’ll either play one octave higher or lower.

Now, check out your guitar’s fretboard - see the double dots on the fret? These signify the 12 frets on most guitars. Use the double dots to help you navigate the note circles on your fretboard.

I recommend you spend some time studying and memorizing the Note Circle. Then, quiz yourself by picking two notes and trying to determine how many semitones are between them. If you have to peek at the Note Circle to do this at first, that's fine! It'll sink into your head before you know it.

🤐 I should mention that Americans tend to call a semitone half steps and tones whole steps. To me, that is a bit confusing. I prefer using the other terms - it makes much more sense musically!

What are Sharps

A sharp (#) raises the pitch of a note by one semitone or one fret on your guitar. An easy way to remember this is if you sat on something sharp, you would jump up!

What are Flats

A flat (b) lowers the pitch of a note by one semitone or one fret on your guitar. Remember this - if your car tire is flat, it goes down.

What are Enharmonic Equivalents

If you look at the Note Circle, you'll see that you can also write each sharp as a flat. For example, an A# is the same as a Bb. This means that A# and Bb are enharmonic equivalents.

The reason behind why the same note has two different names is more complex. We'll explore that later on. But, for now, what you need to understand is that they are on the same note.

The H In German Music Theory

In Germany and some other European countries, the note B note is traditionally called H. Today, most music teachers in Germany teach the regular B, but others still use the H. If you're a German music student, I don't recommend learning it as H. Since the rest of the world uses B, it makes more sense to use it. It’s always best to learn music in a universal way.

Now, if we could only get the Americans on board with the metric system… Just kidding! :)

If you want to learn more about guitar music theory, check out my Practical Music Theory Course. It's one of my favorite courses to teach - c'mon, music theory is a superpower! 🪄