Guitar and technique
Fret
A fret is a metal strip across the guitar neck; pressing a string just behind it shortens the string, and each fret raises the pitch by one semitone.
What is a fret on a guitar?
A fret is the metal wire set into the fingerboard. In everyday speech the word also means the space between two wires, where your finger goes: "play the 5th fret" means press in the fifth space and let the fifth wire stop the string.
Frets are counted from the nut, the small slotted piece next to the headstock: the 1st fret is the one closest to the headstock. Press the low E string at the 3rd fret and you get G. Zero means the open string, which is how tablature writes it.
Why is each fret a semitone?
Frets are placed so that each one raises the pitch by exactly one semitone in equal temperament. Twelve frets make an octave, so the 12th fret sits exactly halfway along the string (325 mm on a classical guitar with a 650 mm scale).
That is why frets get narrower as you move up the fretboard: each one is about 5.6% shorter than the previous. Stretches feel wide near the nut and comfortable above the 7th fret.
How do you count frets to find intervals?
On one string, the number of frets between two notes is the number of semitones. Start from the open A string:
| Frets | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | B | major second (whole step) |
| 3 | C | minor third |
| 4 | C# | major third |
| 5 | D | perfect fourth |
| 7 | E | perfect fifth |
| 12 | A | octave |
The same logic explains the capo: clamped at the 2nd fret, it raises everything by a whole step. And an E-shape barre chord at the 5th fret is A major, because E plus five semitones is A.
Exercise: press every fret cleanly
A clean note depends on where you press: just behind the fret wire, on the headstock side, with your fingertip. Play this chromatic drill at 60 BPM:
- On the 6th string, play frets 1, 2, 3, 4 with fingers 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Repeat on every string up to the 1st.
- Shift up one fret (frets 2 to 5) and come back down.
Look for the minimum pressure: press lighter and lighter until the note buzzes, then add just a little. To check you can name each fret as well, the fretboard games quiz you on the notes.
Common fretting mistakes
- Finger in the middle of the fret space: you need more force and the note buzzes. Move it toward the wire.
- Finger right on top of the wire: the note sounds muted.
- Pressing too hard: the string bends sharp, especially on the thin strings.
- Flat finger: it touches the next string and mutes it inside chords.
Key takeaways
- A fret is the metal wire, and by extension the space where you press.
- One fret equals one semitone, twelve frets an octave.
- Counting frets gives intervals: 3 is a minor third, 4 a major third, 7 a fifth.
- Press just behind the wire with the lightest pressure that rings clean.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my string buzz when I press a fret?
Usually your finger is too far from the fret wire or not pressing enough. Move it right up to the wire on the body side of the space. If a fret buzzes even when played well, low action or a worn fret may be the cause, and a guitar tech can set the instrument up.
How many frets make an octave?
Twelve. The 12th fret gives the same note as the open string, one octave higher. That is why almost every guitar marks it with a double dot.
What does fret 0 mean?
Fret 0 is the open string, played without pressing anything. In tab, a 0 on the bottom line means you play the low E string open.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.