Guitar String Names Explained: Beginners Guide

Imagine a friendly chameleon of music, tinkling like raindrops or wailing like a rockstar – that’s the guitar! Knowing its string names unlocks secret powers – play any song, speak guitar with other players, and even bend the music to your will! Ready to be a guitar hero? Let’s learn the string names!

Numbering the Strings:

Think of the guitar like a staircase, with the thickest string (the “low E”) as the first step (6th string) and the thin, high-pitched E at the top (1st string). Each string in between gets a number in descending order:

• 6th String (E): Thickest and deepest in sound. Imagine a rumbling earthquake!
• 5th String (A): A tad thinner, with a warm, mellow tone like autumn leaves.
• 4th String (D): Thinner yet, with a clear and focused voice like a sunny day.
• 3rd String (G): Even thinner, with a bright and lively twang like raindrops.
• 2nd String (B): Getting high-pitched, with a buzzing, energetic edge like a beehive.
• 1st String (E): The thinnest and highest, like a soaring bird’s song.

Standard Tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E)

Think of this as the guitar’s default language. Just like knowing your ABCs, mastering E-A-D-G-B-E is crucial for understanding chords, scales, and music written for guitar. It’s like the map that unlocks countless musical possibilities!

Remember the string names

Learning the names and order of your guitar strings isn’t just about memorizing facts – it’s about unlocking a gateway to musical adventures! But let’s be honest, those six names can feel like a jumble at first. Worry not, aspiring guitar heroes, for we have a stash of mnemonics and memory aids to turn you into string-naming superstars!

• “Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually” (E-A-D-G-B-E): This classic reminds you of the order and motivates you along the way!
• “Eat All Day, Get Big Easy” (E-A-D-G-B-E): Fuel your musical journey with delicious string names!