Naming the Guitar Strings
- Thursday, July 24, 2008, 16:22
- Guitar Basics, Note Reading & Fretboard
- 35,539 views
- 9 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.
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9 Comments on “Naming the Guitar Strings”
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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.