Notes on the fretboard: Shamisen – Niagari (C-G-C)

C-G-C · Alternative

C
CGC035791215C3 · fret 0C♯3 · fret 1D3 · fret 2D♯3 · fret 3E3 · fret 4F3 · fret 5F♯3 · fret 6G3 · fret 7G♯3 · fret 8A3 · fret 9A♯3 · fret 10B3 · fret 11C4 · fret 12C♯4 · fret 13D4 · fret 14D♯4 · fret 15G3 · fret 0G♯3 · fret 1A3 · fret 2A♯3 · fret 3B3 · fret 4C4 · fret 5C♯4 · fret 6D4 · fret 7D♯4 · fret 8E4 · fret 9F4 · fret 10F♯4 · fret 11G4 · fret 12G♯4 · fret 13A4 · fret 14A♯4 · fret 15C4 · fret 0C♯4 · fret 1D4 · fret 2D♯4 · fret 3E4 · fret 4F4 · fret 5F♯4 · fret 6G4 · fret 7G♯4 · fret 8A4 · fret 9A♯4 · fret 10B4 · fret 11C5 · fret 12C♯5 · fret 13D5 · fret 14D♯5 · fret 15CC3 · fret 0CC4 · fret 12CC4 · fret 5CC4 · fret 0CC5 · fret 12

This instrument has no frets: the lines mark semitone positions along the string. Tap any position to hear it.

Where to find C: Shamisen – Niagari (C-G-C)

  • String 1 (C): open, 12
  • String 2 (G): 5
  • String 3 (C): open, 12

All notes on the fretboard: Shamisen – Niagari (C-G-C)

String0123456789101112
1CC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BC
2GG♯AA♯BCC♯DD♯EFF♯G
3CC♯DD♯EFF♯GG♯AA♯BC

In the tuning Niagari (C-G-C) its 3 strings cover a range from C3 to D♯5 within the first 15 positions. Pick a note to mark every place it sounds, choose an octave to single out one exact pitch, and use the chart above to learn the neck string by string.

Find notes in another tuning: Shamisen

More note finders

How do I learn the notes on this fretboard?

Start with the open strings of Niagari (C-G-C), then learn one natural note at a time across all strings. The 12th fret repeats the open strings an octave higher, so the chart only needs frets 0 to 12.

Why does the same note appear on several strings?

Neighbouring strings overlap in range, so most pitches can be played in more than one place. Choose an octave in the note finder to see exactly which positions give the same pitch.

What is the range of this tuning?

From C3, the lowest open string, up to D♯5 at the 15th position of the highest string.