Naming the Guitar Strings
- Thursday, July 24, 2008, 16:22
- 291,757 views
- 18 comments
Naming the guitar strings is a fundamental that no beginner should overlook. There are two ways that we can name the string being played.

The first way simply numbers the strings from skinniest to heaviest, 1 through 6. The second names the string by the pitch it is tuned to. Standard guitar tuning is from heaviest to skinniest, E-A-D-G-B-E. A good memory device is the phrase, Every Artist Digs Guitar Back East.
Notice that there are two E strings. The heaviest string is referred to as ‘Low E’ and the skinniest ‘High E’. This references their pitch not their position in relation to the floor.
About the Author
Related Content18 Comments on “Naming the Guitar Strings”
Write a Comment
Gravatars are small images that can show your personality. You can get your gravatar for free today!
-486x60.gif)





Your memory device for naming the strings needs to be corrected.
Thanks for the site!
@Kurt McNaught -
Yes – “Every Artist Digs Guitar Back East”. Edited. Thanks a bunch, Kurt!
You have GOT to be kidding me!
-EC
@EC: Right. Now don’t confuse this with “Every Good Boy Does Fine” that names notes on the staff.
This is labeled ‘beginner’, no?
I just wanted to say thank you!! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!
A good memory device for the names of the strings in standard order (highest to lowest) is Easter Bunnies Get Drunk After Easter. It’s funny, and thus memorable. Never fails. :]
@Peacechild – I have also used the similar ‘Easter Bunny Goes Driving After Easter’. Maybe less memorable, but more kid and parent friendly!
Just started playing and this information is fundamental for someone who just started thank you
Thanks for the nice post.
Thanks for this post, very helpful. I’ve been playing off and on since I was 13 and now I’m 32. I play strictly by ear and now I trying to teach my 12 year old daughter how to play and this helped her a lot.
If you want people to learn the guitar strings, the easiest way is to use my method for the past 20 years. Students can name the strings after reciting it a few times.
Tell students to remember this saying:
Every Boy Gets Drunk At Ernies
no kidding i know a chick named kelsy and is a total hippie
here’s a good one:
Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie
That is a new one to me. I like it!
EADGBE:-Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears
I”m going to ingland! “yay”
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmooooooooooooooooooo
E DG E
A B