Fretboard Personalities: Ways of Seeing the Fretboard in Blues and Jazz Guitar Improvisation

Abstract: This presentation considers ways that the fretboard can be seen and how this way of seeing can lead to individual understandings of fretboard theories and approaches. Including a number of case studies from guitarists such as BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford and Pat Metheny, analysis considers how fretboard personalities can be presented and discussed through a number of analytical approaches. Additionally, a real-time fretboard heatmap generator is presented in early stages of development as a tool that can help with analysis of fretboard approaches and which has applications for pedagogy and fretboard exploration for learners.