Understanding the string names on your guitar is one of the very first steps in your musical journey. Whether you’re just picking up the guitar or aiming to master complex chords and melodies, knowing the strings by name is fundamental. This guide will help you learn the names of each guitar string, understand why they are tuned the way they are, and give you some handy tricks to memorize them quickly.
What Are the String Names on a Guitar?
A standard guitar has six strings. Each string is tuned to a specific pitch, and we refer to them by both a number and a letter name. The numbering is a bit counter-intuitive as it goes from thinnest to thickest in ascending order, but from highest pitch to lowest in descending order.
- 1st String: This is the thinnest string, located at the bottom when you hold the guitar in playing position. It’s tuned to E (and often called the high E string).
- 2nd String: The next string up from the thinnest, tuned to B.
- 3rd String: Tuned to G.
- 4th String: Tuned to D.
- 5th String: Tuned to A.
- 6th String: This is the thickest string, at the top when you hold the guitar. It’s tuned to E (and often called the low E string).
So, in standard tuning, from the thickest to thinnest string, the names are E A D G B E.
Why This Tuning? The Logic Behind EADGBE
The standard EADGBE tuning wasn’t chosen randomly. It’s the result of centuries of development and experimentation with stringed instruments. This tuning represents a balance that makes the guitar incredibly versatile and playable for a few key reasons:
- Chord Playing: Standard tuning makes it relatively easy to play a wide variety of chords across the fretboard. The intervals between the strings are designed to allow for common chord shapes to be formed without excessive stretching of your fingers.
- Melody Playing: While optimized for chords, this tuning also allows for melodic lines to be played without requiring overly large jumps or stretches between notes.
- Open Strings: EADGBE tuning allows for many commonly used keys and chords to incorporate open strings. Open strings provide a richer, resonant sound and simplify playing in certain keys.
- String Tension and Flexibility: The tuning ensures a balanced tension across the guitar neck and strings. This balance is crucial for both the instrument’s structural integrity and the player’s ability to bend strings and achieve vibrato.
Imagine if the intervals between strings were much wider – playing simple chords would become a complex finger gymnastics exercise. Conversely, much smaller intervals might make melodies easier in certain positions but would make common chord shapes awkward and less practical. Standard tuning hits the sweet spot.
Easy Ways to Memorize Guitar String Names
Memorizing the string names is crucial for communicating with other musicians, understanding guitar tabs and lessons, and generally navigating the instrument. Luckily, there are some fun and effective mnemonics to help you!
The most popular method is using acronyms. You create a memorable sentence where the first letter of each word corresponds to the string names.
Starting from the thinnest (1st) string upwards (E-B-G-D-A-E):
- Every Boy Gets Dessert After Eating.
- Elvis Burgers Go Down All Evening.
Starting from the thickest (6th) string downwards (E-A-D-G-B-E):
- Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie.
- Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears.
The best approach is to create your own mnemonic! Make it funny, silly, or relevant to you – the more memorable it is for you, the better it will work.
String Names and the Fretboard
Knowing the open string names is just the beginning. As you progress, you’ll start learning notes along the fretboard. The fretboard is the wooden surface on the neck of the guitar where you press down the strings to change their pitch. Understanding the string names acts as your anchor point for learning all the notes on the fretboard.
By knowing that the open 6th string is E, you can then learn that the first fret of the 6th string is F, the second fret is F#, and so on. The string names provide the foundation for understanding the entire musical map of your guitar.
Conclusion
Learning the string names on your guitar is a simple but vital first step. It unlocks communication, understanding, and deeper engagement with your instrument. Take a few minutes each day to repeat the string names and use mnemonics to help solidify them in your memory. Soon, calling out string names will become second nature, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the guitar!
