Naming the Guitar Strings

  • Thursday, July 24, 2008, 16:22
  • 320,144 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.

Learn Guitar Online - Step by Step Beginner's Guide

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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  • Kurt McNaught

    Your memory device for naming the strings needs to be corrected.
    Thanks for the site!

    • http://www.guitarteacher.com Storm

      @Kurt McNaught -
      Yes – “Every Artist Digs Guitar Back East”. Edited. Thanks a bunch, Kurt!

  • EC

    You have GOT to be kidding me!
    -EC

  • http://www.guitarteacher.com Storm

    @EC: Right. Now don’t confuse this with “Every Good Boy Does Fine” that names notes on the staff.

    This is labeled ‘beginner’, no?

  • http://www.myspace.com/peacekelsey Peacekelsey

    I just wanted to say thank you!! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!

  • Peacechild

    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. :]

  • http://www.guitarteacher.com Storm

    @Peacechild – I have also used the similar ‘Easter Bunny Goes Driving After Easter’. Maybe less memorable, but more kid and parent friendly!

  • Manny

    Just started playing and this information is fundamental for someone who just started thank you

  • http://thepartsgiant.com/memory/ddr-sdram.html morisbecon

    Thanks for the nice post.

  • Frank

    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.

  • geary chlebus

    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

  • jordan

    Originally Posted By PeacekelseyI just wanted to say thank you!! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!!

    no kidding i know a chick named kelsy and is a total hippie

  • Angelo J Pena

    here’s a good one:

    Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie

    • http://www.guitarteacher.com Storm

      That is a new one to me. I like it!

  • kick ass

    EADGBE:-Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears

  • http://Kill Just TM

    I”m going to ingland! “yay”

  • http://Kill.com.au Just TM

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmooooooooooooooooooo

  • alex

    E DG E

    A B

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