When you first pick up a guitar, one of the most fundamental details to learn is the names of the strings. This knowledge is the bedrock for tuning your instrument, following chord charts, or playing along with your favorite songs.
The names of the strings serve as a roadmap, guiding your fingers to the right notes and helping you communicate effectively with teachers, fellow musicians, and even online resources. Whether you play an acoustic, electric, or even a classical guitar, the standard names and numbers for the strings remain the same.
These simple letters—E, A, D, G, B, and E—might not seem like much at first, but they unlock a world of musical expression and creativity.
Knowing your way around the guitar’s strings is like learning the alphabet before trying to write poetry. It gives you the confidence to explore new genres, tackle challenging riffs, or simply strum your favorite chords.
For beginners, memorizing string names can feel overwhelming, especially with all the other new terms and techniques to absorb. But with a little repetition and some clever memory tricks, you’ll soon find these names second nature.
Let’s take a journey through each guitar string, exploring their names, their pitches, and the essential role they play in shaping the sound of every song you love.
Understanding the Standard Guitar String Names
The standard guitar features six strings, each with its own unique name and pitch. These strings are numbered from the thickest (lowest) to the thinnest (highest), and each one serves a crucial function in crafting the instrument’s signature sound.
Learning the string names is vital for tuning your guitar, reading music, and building chords.
Most guitars use the “EADGBE” tuning, which means the open strings (when played without pressing any fret) are, from lowest to highest: E, A, D, G, B, and E again. These names aren’t arbitrary—they represent the musical notes produced when each string is played open.
This standard tuning is the foundation for countless songs, scales, and techniques.
Here’s a helpful table for quick reference:
| String Number | String Name | Open Note |
| 6 | Low E | E (2nd octave) |
| 5 | A | A |
| 4 | D | D |
| 3 | G | G |
| 2 | B | B |
| 1 | High E | E (4th octave) |
- The 6th string is the thickest and lowest in pitch—Low E.
- The 1st string is the thinnest and highest in pitch—High E.
- Strings in between follow the sequence: A, D, G, B.
Memorizing this order will give you a solid foundation for all your guitar adventures.
The Sixth String: Low E
The lowest, thickest string on the guitar is known as the Low E string. When played open, it produces the note E, which is the deepest note on a standard-tuned guitar.
This string is numbered as the sixth string and is located closest to you when holding the guitar in playing position.
The Low E string is vital for providing the rich, deep bass in both rhythm and lead guitar parts. Many iconic riffs, from rock to blues, are anchored by this string.
Its thickness makes it great for powerful, resonant sounds, but it can also be challenging for beginners to press down and keep in tune.
When forming chords, the Low E often acts as the root note or bass note, shaping the feel of the chord. For example, in an E major or G major chord, the Low E string is either played open or fretted, contributing to the chord’s fullness.
Understanding how this string interacts with the others is key to mastering your fretboard.
- Used for bass lines and power chords in rock music
- Essential for drop tunings and alternate tunings
- Forms the foundation for many beginner exercises and scales
“The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself.” — Ludwig van Beethoven
The Fifth String: A
Next up is the fifth string, commonly called the A string. This string sits just below the Low E and is slightly thinner and higher in pitch.
Played open, it rings out the note A, which is pivotal for constructing chords and scales across virtually every genre.
The A string is frequently used as a reference for tuning other strings. In standard tuning, you might use the fifth fret of the E string (which is an A note) to tune the open A string.
This technique is especially handy if you’re tuning by ear or don’t have a tuner handy.
Many chords and riffs rely heavily on the A string, especially in folk, country, and blues. Its role as a bass note in A major, D major, and E major chords makes it a constant companion in rhythm guitar strumming.
Additionally, the A string is crucial for playing barre chords up and down the neck.
- Fundamental for chord transitions and power chords
- Frequently plucked for walking bass lines and arpeggios
- Serves as a reference point for tuning other strings
If you want to strengthen your skills, try practicing scales starting on the A string. It will help you become more comfortable navigating the entire fretboard and improve your finger strength.
The Fourth String: D
Moving further down, the fourth string is known as the D string. Played open, it produces the note D, sitting right in the middle of the guitar’s tonal range.
The D string’s position and pitch make it a bridge between the lower and higher strings, providing balance and warmth to chords and melodies.
The D string is essential for rhythm playing, offering a punchy, clear sound that cuts through mixes. Many famous chord shapes—like D major, D minor, and B minor—rely on this string being played open or fretted.
Its midrange character also makes it a favorite for fingerstyle guitarists who want to add richness to their arrangements.
For many guitarists, the D string is a go-to for practicing alternate picking, string skipping, and scale exercises. Its central location makes it easy to incorporate into both lead lines and accompaniment patterns.
- Key for open chord voicings and arpeggios
- Used in countless riffs and intros
- Acts as an anchor in fingerstyle and classical pieces
When tuning by ear, the fifth fret of the A string gives you a D, which you can use to tune the open D string. Mastering the relationship between the A and D strings will unlock smoother transitions in your playing.
The Third String: G
The third string on the guitar is the G string. Played open, it produces the note G and sits between the higher B string and lower D string.
The G string is crucial for melodic lines and is often used in solos and improvisation due to its bright, resonant tone.
The G string is unique because it’s the last of the three wound strings on most electric and acoustic guitars. This gives it a distinctive timbre that stands out in both chords and single-note runs.
Many classic rock and pop melodies are centered around the G string, making it a favorite for lead guitarists.
In standard tuning, the G string is tuned using the fifth fret of the D string. This relationship is important when tuning quickly or by ear, ensuring your guitar sounds harmonious across all six strings.
- Popular for solos and expressive bends
- Central to common open chord shapes like G, C, and D
- Critical for scale practice and pentatonic runs
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” — Bob Marley
Experimenting with the G string will help you develop your vibrato, bends, and melodic phrasing.
The Second String: B
The second string is called the B string. This string produces the note B when played open and is thinner and higher in pitch than the G string.
The B string’s bright, clear tone makes it particularly suited for melodies, harmonies, and chord embellishments.
Unlike the other strings, the B string is tuned at the fourth fret of the G string, not the fifth. This slight difference can trip up beginners, but it’s essential for the guitar’s unique chord shapes and fingerings.
The B string is also popular for harmonics and double stops, giving your playing a shimmering quality.
Many open chords—such as C major, A minor, and D7—rely on the open B string to provide color and texture. It’s also a favorite among fingerstyle players, as its high pitch cuts through the mix and adds sparkle to arpeggiated patterns.
- Essential for chord embellishments and melodic fills
- Used for tuning reference at the fourth fret of the G string
- Popular for harmonics and two-string licks
Practicing scales and patterns on the B string will help strengthen your pinky and ring fingers, improving your overall dexterity and speed.
The First String: High E
The final string, the first string, is known as the High E. It’s the thinnest, highest-pitched string, and when played open, it produces the note E (two octaves higher than the Low E).
This string is a staple of melodies, solos, and high-end chord voicings.
Because of its thinness, the High E string is perfect for expressive techniques like bends, slides, and vibrato. It’s often the string of choice for guitarists looking to add flair to their solos or play intricate fingerstyle pieces.
Its high pitch also helps chords ring out brightly, making it an essential part of the guitar’s overall sound.
To tune the High E, use the fifth fret of the B string, which produces an E note. This relationship ensures your guitar’s top end is in harmony with the rest of the instrument.
- Key for lead guitar work and expressive playing
- Vital for high chords and melodic runs
- Commonly used for harmonics and advanced techniques
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Tips for Memorizing Guitar String Names
For beginners, keeping the names of the guitar strings straight can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are several tried-and-true methods and memory aids to help you lock them in for good.
The most popular involves using mnemonics—fun and memorable phrases where each word represents the first letter of each string, from 6th to 1st.
Here are a few classic mnemonics to consider:
- Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye E
- Elvis Always Did Go Buy E
- Eat All Day Get Big Easy
Alternatively, you can make up your own unique phrase. The sillier or more personal, the easier it will be to remember.
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Writing the string names down on sticky notes and placing them on your guitar, practicing saying them aloud, or quizzing yourself before each session can also cement the order in your mind. The more ways you engage with the information, the faster it will stick.
“Repetition is the key to mastery—don’t be afraid to revisit the basics.”
String Numbers vs. String Names: Knowing the Difference
Guitarists often refer to strings by both their names (E, A, D, G, B, E) and their numbers (1 through 6). Understanding the difference is crucial for following tutorials, chord diagrams, and written music accurately.
Mixing up the numbers and names can lead to confusion, especially when you’re just starting out.
The string number system counts from the thinnest string (1st, High E) to the thickest (6th, Low E). This can seem counterintuitive because the 6th string is physically on top when you’re holding the guitar.
Remembering this order will save you time and prevent mistakes as you learn new songs and techniques.
| String Number | String Name | Position |
| 1 | High E | Thinnest, bottom-most |
| 6 | Low E | Thickest, top-most |
- Always check whether instructions refer to string numbers or names
- Chord diagrams usually number the strings from right (1st) to left (6th)
- Tablature (tab) uses numbers to show which fret to play on which string
Developing fluency in both systems will help you communicate more clearly with other musicians and follow along with written resources.
Alternate Tunings and Their Impact on String Names
While standard tuning (EADGBE) is most common, many guitarists experiment with alternate tunings to achieve unique sounds or simplify certain chord shapes. In alternate tunings, the string names often change to reflect the new pitches of the open strings.
This flexibility is one of the reasons the guitar is beloved across so many genres.
Some popular alternate tunings include:
- Drop D: DADGBE (Low E string tuned down to D)
- Open G: DGDGBD
- DADGAD: Common in Celtic and folk music
When you change the tuning, be mindful that chord shapes and scale patterns may shift. It helps to write down the new open string names and get accustomed to how they sound.
This is especially important if you’re playing with others or following along with a song in a unique tuning.
“Tuning is not just a technicality—it’s a creative tool that changes the character of your music.”
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Why Knowing Guitar String Names Matters
At first glance, memorizing string names might seem trivial compared to mastering solos or complex chords. But in reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools in your musical toolkit.
Knowing the string names allows you to:
- Tune your guitar accurately by ear or with tuners
- Follow chord diagrams, tabs, and instructional videos with confidence
- Communicate clearly with teachers, bandmates, and fellow students
- Explore music theory and unlock new chord shapes and scales
It also boosts your self-reliance as a musician. Instead of relying solely on visuals or memory, you can actively understand and engage with your instrument.
This is especially important if you ever want to branch out into songwriting, improvisation, or advanced technique.
As your skills grow, you’ll find that a solid grasp of string names opens the door to countless creative possibilities. It’s the key that turns the guitar from a mysterious object into a familiar, expressive companion.
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Common Questions and Troubleshooting String Name Confusion
Even experienced players can sometimes mix up string names or numbers, especially when switching between different types of guitars or tunings. Here are some common issues and tips to address them:
- Mixing up string order: Remember, count from the thinnest (1st) to thickest (6th) string.
- Confusing notes with string numbers: Practice saying the string names and numbers together until it becomes automatic.
- Switching between left-handed and right-handed guitars? The string names remain the same, but the physical orientation changes.
- Using a seven-string or twelve-string guitar? The six main strings are still named EADGBE; extra strings extend the range but follow similar naming conventions.
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Don’t hesitate to revisit the basics whenever you feel uncertain. Even professional musicians review elementary concepts regularly to keep their skills sharp.
Conclusion: Mastering Guitar String Names for Lifelong Musical Growth
Learning the names of the guitar strings is more than a beginner’s exercise—it’s a vital step toward musical fluency. As you progress from your first chords to complex solos and intricate compositions, your understanding of E, A, D, G, B, and E will continue to pay dividends.
These simple names unlock a universe of songs, techniques, and creative possibilities. They connect you to a global community of musicians and give you the vocabulary to express your ideas, collaborate, and grow.
So take the time to practice, memorize, and internalize each string name. Use mnemonics, write them down, or even create your own song about the string order.
The more comfortable you are with these basics, the more liberated and expressive your guitar playing will become. And remember, every great guitarist—from Jimi Hendrix to Taylor Swift—started with this same simple step.
As you continue your guitar journey, stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to return to the fundamentals. The better you know your instrument, the more it will reward you with inspiration and joy.
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The world of names is vast, and every new discovery adds another note to your song.
