"Aha"

Ten years ago, I picked up my guitar and realized I was still stuck playing the same four licks from 1985. My barre chords were solid—but scales? A disaster. Move three frets and I was lost, I’m sure you know that feeling.

Then came the breakthrough: scales are fixed templates—hole patterns that never change. When you move the whole template, you change the key. That was the first step in simplifying theory.

The second step? Realizing you can stack scale patterns side by side. The third? Seeing that stacking builds a complete map of all the playable notes—a road map for the fretboard. Suddenly, I could see exactly where I was and where the next chords lived. The fog lifted. It felt like GPS for my fingers.

With all the “good notes” laid out, patterns began popping out everywhere. No more guessing. Music theory finally made sense because I could see the notes.

Now, instead of puzzling over the fretboard, I follow a clear visual map. My fingers land with confidence, and playing is fun again—no brain drain, no mystery.

To my fellow fretboard wanderers: here’s your chance to enjoy playing again. Side effects may include smiling, jamming, and how life just gets better through music.