FRETBRETteknikker

Fretbrettteknikker, or fretboard techniques, refers to the set of methods used to articulate and control notes on the fretboard of fretted string instruments such as the guitar. These techniques involve both the fretting hand and the picking or plucking hand, and they shape articulation, tone, dynamics, speed, and expression across genres.

Common techniques include legato movements such as hammer-ons and pull-offs; slides (glissandi) between frets; string bending and release; vibrato; and the use of harmonics (natural and artificial). Right-hand approaches include alternate picking, economy picking, and hybrid picking, as well as palm muting and rest-stroke techniques. Advanced players employ tapping with the picking hand to produce pitched notes on the fretboard, and sweep picking to execute arpeggios with minimal left-hand movement. Muting, both left-hand and palm (right-hand) muting, helps control unwanted resonance.

Notation and pedagogy: Techniques are indicated in standard notation with articulations and slurs; guitar method books and instructional materials organize practice around patterns, etudes, and repertoire. Mastery typically develops through slow, precise repetition and increasing tempo, often using scale fragments, arpeggio sequences, and genre-specific pattern drills.

Applications: Fretboard techniques are essential across musical styles, from blues and rock to jazz and classical arrangements for guitar. They enable expressive phrasing, fast runs, and clean articulation, and they are frequently taught in formal lessons, self-study, and ensemble settings. Related topics include guitar technique, fretboard navigation, hammer-ons, pull-offs, tapping, and harmonic articulation.