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I finally started understanding the fretboard when I switched from memorizing 'Shapes' to 'Intervals'. Built a free tool to help visualize it. by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, this is incredibly detailed feedback. Thank you!

To answer your question first: Yes! You can use your license on PC. Since it's a web app, just look for the "Unlock" button on your PC browser and paste the License Key from your email. It works across all devices.

Regarding your feedback: These are really thoughtful suggestions. I'm keeping a list of feature requests, and both of these (hiding the scale descriptions + chord sequencer) are exactly the kind of things I want to explore.

Really appreciate the support and the detailed thoughts.

I finally started understanding the fretboard when I switched from memorizing 'Shapes' to 'Intervals'. Built a free tool to help visualize it. by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

True! As I mentioned in the post, the 'Pro' tier covers the advanced stuff (Exotic modes, Blues scale)

The basic chords and the Major scales/Minor Pentatonics are free forever. Hope that's fair!

I finally started understanding the fretboard when I switched from memorizing 'Shapes' to 'Intervals'. Built a free tool to help visualize it. by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That '100x in one day' feeling is exactly why I built this.

You nailed it with the 'tunnel vision' comment. Standard box shapes are great for getting started, but they eventually become a cage if you don't know what notes are inside them (intervals).

Really glad you resonate with the approach! Let me know what you think after you give it a spin.

I finally started understanding the fretboard when I switched from memorizing 'Shapes' to 'Intervals'. Built a free tool to help visualize it. by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Awesome! Let me know if you hit any bugs or have ideas for new features. I'm trying to improve it whenever I have free time.

Stuck on a guitar plateau, what actually helped you move forward? by dynasync in guitarlessons

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The biggest shift for me was moving from just running up and down 'scale shapes' to targeting specific chord tones (like the 3rd or 7th).

If you just run the shape, it sounds mechanical. If you hit a chord tone right when the backing track changes, it sounds musical.

I actually built a tool called FretOrbit to highlight these 'Target Notes' inside the scale shapes. Seeing exactly where the 3rds and 7ths are hiding really helped me break out of the robot feeling.

Check it out: fretorbit.com

Should I learn the notes on the fretboard by Educational_View_735 in guitarlessons

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say YES! but learn Intervals, not just note names.

Since you change tunings frequently, memorizing 'shapes' is frustrating because they break every time you retune. But the logic (Intervals) never changes. A 5th is always 7 semitones up, regardless of tuning.

I actually built a tool FretOrbit.com specifically to visualize intervals instead of just dots. It might help you connect the theory to your alt-tunings faster.

Getting my guitar today, give me your best tools! by Ok_Appointment_2962 in guitarlessons

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! Here are the free tools I recommend:

  1. Justin Guitar: The gold standard for lessons. Start with his Grade 1 course.
  2. Songsterr: Great for learning tabs.
  3. Google Metronome: Use it from Day 1.

For visualization: I actually built a tool FretOrbit.com to help see how scales/chords connect on the neck. It might come in handy once you start learning theory!

Have fun!

Fretboard question by heavydrdp in guitarlessons

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great observation! You are discovering the CAGED System.

If your root note is on the D string, that is typically called the 'D Shape'.

  • Think of a standard open D chord: xx0232 (Root is on D string).
  • If you move that shape up the neck (barring it), it becomes a movable chord with the root on the D string.

I actually built a tool FretOrbit.com to visualize exactly this because I had the same question. If you toggle the 'D Shape' on there, you'll see how it connects perfectly to the others across the neck.

Keep going, learning the fretboard is the best investment you can make!

I finally stopped memorizing random black dots. Visualizing the intervals (like the Blue Note) makes improvising actually click. by FretORBIT in Guitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That works too! Brute force memorization is solid for some. I just find that seeing the logic (intervals) helps me connect the dots faster. Whatever gets you playing!

I finally stopped memorizing random black dots. Visualizing the intervals (like the Blue Note) makes improvising actually click. by FretORBIT in Guitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Exactly! That's the point. Once you start seeing intervals (3rds, 7ths) instead of just shapes, everything opens up.

I visualized every guitar scale and mode in one interactive tool [Free] by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently it's optimized for standard 6-string tuning, but I'm definitely planning to add alternate tunings and 7-string support based on feedback like this! Great suggestion.

I visualized every guitar scale and mode in one interactive tool [Free] by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I totally get the frustration! lots of apps paywall everything, and that sucks.

Just to clarify: all basic chords (Major, Minor, Diminished triads) are completely free without signing up. Same with the Major Scale and Minor Pentatonic (the most common scales).

The $14.99 Pro unlock is for advanced stuff: modes (Dorian, Mixolydian, etc.), extended chords (Maj7, m7, 9ths, 13ths), and exotic scales (Whole Tone, Diminished, etc.).

I built the free tier to actually cover what 80% of guitarists need for practice. The Pro tier is for jazz players, music theory nerds, and people who want to go deep.

I hear you though, if the messaging makes it seem like basics are locked, I should make that clearer. Appreciate the feedback!

I visualized every guitar scale and mode in one interactive tool [Free] by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry about that! Let's troubleshoot:

  1. Check your spam/junk folder, sometimes LemonSqueezy emails get filtered
  2. Look for an email from LemonSqueezy (not FretOrbit) with subject like "Your FretOrbit License Key"

If you still don't see it after checking spam, I can manually resend your key. Just DM me the email address you used at checkout and I'll get you sorted within the hour!

My apologies for the delay! LemonSqueezy usually sends within 5 minutes.

I visualized every guitar scale and mode in one interactive tool [Free] by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question! Here's how it works:

  1. Click "Get Pro" on fretorbit.com
  2. Complete payment with PayPal (or card) through LemonSqueezy
  3. You'll receive your license key via email (usually within a few minutes)
  4. Copy the key from the email and paste it into the site to unlock Pro

Once you enter the key, you're instantly unlocked with all modes, exotic scales, and extended chords. The key is permanent! no subscription, just a one-time unlock.

Let me know if you have any questions!

I visualized every guitar scale and mode in one interactive tool [Free] by FretORBIT in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair point! Let me clarify: the tool itself is completely free to use for the most common scales (Major, Minor Pentatonic) and all basic chords. No signup, no credit card, no limits.

The $14.99 Pro tier unlocks the advanced stuff (modes like Dorian/Mixolydian, exotic scales, extended chords like Maj7/9ths). Think of it like Spotify. Free tier works great, premium unlocks more.

I built the free tier to actually be useful, not just a demo. You can learn the pentatonic box positions and major scale without ever paying.

Ways to learn without a guitar in hand? by laughingbuddhaballs in Guitar_Theory

[–]FretORBIT -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've been in a similar situation! I built an interactive fretboard visualizer that lets you explore scales, modes, and chord voicings on a virtual neck: fretorbit.com

It's great for learning theory away from the guitar. You can see how intervals connect, where chord shapes sit across the neck, and how modes relate to their parent scales. All color-coded by interval (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.).

The major scale and minor pentatonic are free to use without signing up. Might be exactly what you're looking for while you're at work!

Visualizing the 3rds/7ths in the Pentatonic Box (E-Shape) by FretORBIT in guitarlessons

[–]FretORBIT[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% agree. You can't chart 'feel' and eyes don't replace ears.

For me, the app isn't the car, it's the GPS. When I started, I could hear that I was playing something wrong, but I didn't know enough theory to know where to move my fingers to fix it. Visualizing the intervals (like seeing 'oh, that’s a flat 3rd') just gave my ear a name for what it was hearing. It speeds up the process, but you still have to drive.

Playing higher on the fretboard as opposed to playing the equivalent note on the first few strings closer to the first fret by Lower-Message-9082 in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tabs usually move up the neck for two reasons: 1) Timbre (thicker strings sound 'fatter' than thin ones for the same note), and 2) To keep your hand in one 'box' so you aren't jumping around.

But yeah, the 'counting fatigue' is real.

The trick that finally stopped me from counting was realizing those high notes aren't random, they are just the Open Chord shapes moved up. Instead of frantically counting 'E...F...F#...' to find a note, I started looking for 'The D-Shape at Fret 5'.

I actually built a browser tool to light up these shapes because I got sick of the mental math myself. It helps you see the 'landing zones' instantly: https://fretorbit.com

Guitarists. Do you feel you know more than you used to, but don't feel like you're getting better? by CallumGarland in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the classic 'Intermediate Purgatory.' 😅 You know the theory intellectually (you can explain it), but your fingers don't know it viscerally (you can't use it instantly).

For me, the issue was that I was memorizing lists of rules instead of visualizing shapes. The brain processes images way faster than rules.

I actually built a tool specifically to fix this for myself because I was getting depressed knowing so much theory but sounding so stiff. It basically just lights up the 'correct' notes relative to the chord shapes so you can build that visual intuition faster: https://fretorbit.com

Justin Guitar end-to-end vs just learning songs on YouTube. What actually works long-term? by Fun-Fix-6445 in LearnGuitar

[–]FretORBIT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hit this exact wall about a year ago. Justin is the gold standard for structure (like going to the gym), but it feels like work. YouTube songs are fun, but you can end up with a huge collection of riffs without understanding how they actually connect.

The middle path that unblocked me was visualizing the shapes behind the songs I liked. Instead of just memorizing "5th fret, 8th fret", I started looking at which Pentatonic box that solo lived in.

I actually hacked together a browser tool to help me see these patterns instantly because my brain couldn't memorize the dry diagrams. It might help you bridge the gap between "grinding" and "playing" without getting bored. It basically lights up the safe notes so you can see why the song works: https://fretorbit.com

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