If you want to become more comfortable navigating the fretboard, don’t just focus on memorizing where every note is. Start learning the distance between the notes.

In this quick lesson, we’ll look at why understanding intervals is such an important part of fretboard knowledge and how those simple two-note relationships eventually help you recognize larger patterns.

You’ll learn how intervals connect to scales, triads, arpeggios, and the ability to move from the note you’re currently playing to the note you want to hear next.

Sometimes the fundamentals seem elementary, especially as you become a more advanced player. But going back to the basics can reveal things you may have missed along the way.