RootNote FAQ
Answers to common questions about ear training, fretboard practice, instrument setup, and customizing your RootNote experience.
Last updated: July 4, 2026
Getting Started
What is RootNote?
RootNote is a free interactive fretboard and ear training app for guitarists and bassists. It features a visual 20-fret fretboard, real-time pitch detection, and 5 training modes to help you learn notes, intervals, and scales. No downloads, no sign-ups — it runs right in your browser.
Can I switch between bass and guitar?
Yes. Open Settings (gear icon) and select Bass or Guitar under Instrument. The fretboard, note ranges, audio samples, and all training modes adapt automatically to your chosen instrument.
Is RootNote really free?
Yes, RootNote is completely free. There are no paid tiers, no subscriptions, and no sign-ups required. You can start practicing immediately by opening rootnote.cc in your browser. The optional Ko-fi button lets you support the project if you find it useful, but there is no obligation.
Do I need to create an account or sign up?
No. RootNote requires no registration, no account creation, and no email address. Simply open rootnote.cc in your browser, grant audio permission when prompted, and start practicing. Your settings are saved locally in your browser using localStorage.
Which browsers does RootNote support?
RootNote works on all modern browsers that support the Web Audio API: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. The app requires audio input access for pitch detection and a stable internet connection for initial loading. Once loaded, most features also work offline.
Can I use RootNote offline?
RootNote requires an initial internet connection to load the application, but once loaded, most features work offline. The app is a Progressive Web App (PWA), so your browser caches the necessary assets. You can practice without an active internet connection after the first visit.
Does RootNote support MIDI keyboards or audio interfaces?
RootNote does not currently support MIDI input. Audio interfaces can work as browser microphone inputs: choose the interface in the Audio drawer's Input Source selector, then play your physical guitar or bass into that input.
Can I practice ear training without my instrument nearby?
Yes. Interval Quiz and Interval Study can be used with speaker playback, and the Drone can provide a sustained reference tone. The pitch-validated Notes and Scales trainers are designed for a real guitar or bass input.
Fretboard Practice
What is Interval Study mode?
Study mode is a passive fretboard exploration tool. Pick a root note, a direction (ascending or descending), and an interval — the app shows all positions of both notes on the fretboard in color-coded highlights. Press SPACE to hear them played. It's a reference tool, not a quiz.
How do I customize the fretboard appearance?
The fretboard can display in two modes: a clean CSS grid (vector, lightweight) or a photographic image (maple or rosewood texture). Switch between them in Settings under Fretboard > Mode. You can also adjust the visible fret range (5–22 frets) and note label size. Color customization is handled through the Scale Colors drawer — assign different colors to each scale degree, control non-scale note opacity, and customize the target highlight.
Scale Training
How does Scales mode work?
Pick from 59 scales across 6 categories, choose a root note and a position, then play each scale degree in sequence. The app prompts you with the next degree (e.g., I, iii, ♭VII) and listens for the correct pitch. You can practice in straight order, broken thirds, or groups. Toggle rhythm mode to add a metronome.
How does scale position locking work?
Scale position locking confines your practice to a 5-fret window on the neck. When you select a position in Scales mode, the exercise only targets notes within that specific box — essential for learning scale patterns and connecting positions across the neck. The app highlights which positions are complete (all degrees available) and marks partial positions with a ⚠ amber warning. You can also choose 'All' to roam freely across the entire fretboard.
Can I practice scales with a metronome?
Yes. In Scales mode, toggle on Rhythm Mode to add a metronome. The app now expects you to play each scale degree in time with the beat. You can adjust the tempo from 40 to 200 BPM, and toggle the metronome click sound on or off via the speaker icon. A timing window evaluates whether you played within the beat, adding a rhythmic dimension to your scale practice.
Ear Training
What can I do in Free Play mode?
Free Play is the idle mode — no training, no scoring. Click any fret on the fretboard to hear that note played through your speakers. The clicked note lights up so you can explore positions across the neck. It's great for warming up or just exploring the instrument.
How does Notes mode work?
The app picks a target note and shows it on the fretboard. You play that note on your instrument, and the app listens. If you play correctly, you score a point and get a new target. Turn on 'Show all positions' to see every occurrence of the target note lit up on the neck.
How does the Interval Quiz work?
You hear a root note followed by a target note (the interval). Answer buttons appear — pick which interval you heard. You can configure which intervals to practice, how many per round (1–3), and how many answer buttons to show (2–12). Answer buttons always stay in the same position so you build muscle memory.
Practice Tools
What is the Drone and how do I use it?
The Drone is a sustained reference tone that plays continuously in the background — like a tuning fork. Open it from the app header, choose a note, adjust the volume. In Intervals mode, it can automatically follow your root note so you always have a pitch reference without manual adjustments.
What keyboard shortcuts are available?
In Quiz mode: press SPACE to replay the interval you just heard, ENTER to continue to the next round. In Study mode: press SPACE to play the root and target notes through your speakers.
Customization & Settings
How do I customize fretboard colors?
Open the Scale Colors drawer from the palette icon (🎨) in the Scales sidebar or Settings. You can assign a different color to each of the 12 scale degrees, control non-scale note opacity (0–100%), and customize the target highlight color and thickness. Changes apply immediately and are saved in your browser.
What can I configure in Settings?
Settings (gear icon) controls: Instrument (bass/guitar), Language (English/Hungarian), Notation (A-B-C or A-H-C), Fretboard style (grid or photographic image), visible fret range, note size on fretboard, stage font family and size.
Troubleshooting
My microphone isn't working. What should I check?
First, make sure your browser has permission to access the microphone. Click the mic icon in the header to open audio settings — check that a device is selected and not muted. If using Firefox, ensure echo cancellation is off (RootNote handles this automatically, but some system settings may override it).