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Last updated: January 2026

Guitar Fretboard Note Trainer App for iOS and Android

FretGenius is the best fretboard trainer app for building sub‑2‑second note recall on your iPhone or Android device. Learn guitar notes with ~2-minute daily sessions (35 attempts) and a guided progression system (Note Path). Prove your progress with scored Phase Checks that require Accuracy + Speed + Stability before you advance. Heatmaps show exactly where you hesitate so you stop guessing and start knowing the guitar fretboard. Works offline—practice anywhere without an internet connection.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

What makes this guitar fretboard app different

Most learn guitar notes apps give you prompts and hope you stick with them. FretGenius adds a short daily loop, measurable gates, and heatmap feedback so you know exactly when progress is real. Available on iOS and Android with full offline support.

  • 2-minute daily loop that is easy to repeat and track on your phone.
  • Accuracy + Speed + Stability gates that prevent luck-based progress.
  • Heatmaps that highlight weak spots so fretboard memorization stays targeted.
  • Offline mode—train anywhere without an internet connection.

What the app looks like

Note Quiz prompt showing fast note recall
Note Quiz for fast recall reps.
Heatmap feedback highlighting weak spots
Heatmaps show exactly what to fix.
Play Along mode with beat-aligned prompts
Play Along applies recall musically.

Key takeaways

  • 2 minutes/day (35 focused attempts) beats random noodling.
  • Phase-based progression (Note Path) prevents "I kinda know it" plateaus.
  • Gates require accuracy and speed (and repeatability) before leveling up.
  • Heatmaps show weak spots by position, not vibes.
  • Works for serious practice: measurable, repeatable, boring-in-a-good-way.

What this guitar fretboard note trainer app actually trains

Most guitarists learn shapes (chords/scales) without knowing the fretboard notes underneath. FretGenius trains the missing skill: instant note recall anywhere on the guitar neck—so you can build chords anywhere, target chord tones in solos, and communicate with other musicians without translating everything into "box shapes." This app helps you build instant fretboard note recall and achieve full neck fluency.

How it works (the loop)

1

Learn

with Note Quiz (on-screen drills)

2

Apply

with Play Along (backing tracks + prompts)

3

Prove

with Phase Check (scored assessment)

Learn more about the phased note recall method

Practice modes (what you get)

Note Quiz

(practice)

On-screen prompts. No guitar required. Designed for quick, high-volume recall reps.

Phase Check

(scored)

A short assessment (35 attempts, ~1.5 minutes) that can advance your phase only if you meet the gate.

Play Along

(musical practice)

Backed by tracks with beat-aligned prompts so you use note knowledge in actual playing.

The gates (this is the part most apps don't do)

You don't "level up" because you played for 10 minutes. You advance when you demonstrate skill.

Gate What it measures Why it matters
Accuracy Correct answers Prevents sloppy guessing
Speed Median answer time target Builds instant recall (not slow lookup)
Stability Pass streak requirement Prevents luck-based advancement
See the exact Phase Check requirements

Proof you can see (heatmaps)

After sessions, you get a fretboard heatmap of attempts. It shows exactly where you're slow or wrong so your next session isn't random.

Heatmap walkthrough

Who this is for

Beginners

learning open strings and first positions

Self-taught players

filling gaps you didn't know you had

Intermediate/advanced

pushing recall under time pressure

Teachers & students

measurable routines and benchmarks

Quick facts

Instrument/tuning Guitar, Standard E (current Note Path availability)
Session size 35 attempts
Session time ~2 minutes (Phase Check ~1.5 minutes)
Progression Note Path phases + gates
Tracking heatmaps + summaries
Privacy no ads; minimal analytics; works offline

FAQ

How long does it take to build fast fretboard note recall?
Most players can make noticeable gains quickly, but the timeline depends on your definition of "fast." If your goal is sub-2-second recall under time pressure, train timed recall daily and measure median response time.
What does "under 2 seconds" mean?
It's a practical recall target: you see a note prompt and can immediately locate it without counting frets or searching patterns.
Is the app free?
Yes. The core training flow is free to use.
Do I need an account?
No. You can start training without creating an account.
Does it work offline?
Yes—train anywhere without an internet connection.
Which devices are supported?
FretGenius is available on iOS and Android.
What tunings are supported?
Guitar in Standard E tuning is supported today.
Do I need a guitar in my hands?
Not for Note Quiz. Play Along uses the guitar.
How to memorize the guitar fretboard (DIY guide)

Start your Note Path

  • 2 minutes/day
  • 35 focused attempts
  • Heatmaps + coaching
Download for iOS Download for Android

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