A Quick Guide to Guitar String Names
Guitar String Names
The guitar string names is one of the basic knowledge every aspiring guitartis should know. This knowledge is crucial because it enables us to accurately tune our guitars.
Additionally, as we embark on the journey of learning the notes along the fretboard, familiarity with these string names becomes essential.
Also, before delving into the realm of guitar chords, it is imperative to have a firm grasp on the names of the strings.
In this lesson, we will focus on mastering the names of the open strings on the guitar.
An open string is a string that is played without pressing down on any of the frets. Once a string is fretted, it is no longer considered open.
Memorizing these names is advantageous, as it eliminates the need to constantly refer to them whenever they are required.
Guitar Strings
Guitar strings are the vital components of a guitar that produce sound when plucked, strummed, or picked.
Their composition varies, with materials like steel, nickel, bronze, or nylon being used, tailored to the type of guitar they’re designed for.
Most guitars feature six strings, each differing in thickness. They are labeled numerically, starting with the thinnest as string 1 and progressing to string 6.
Strings 1 and 2, known as ‘plain strings,’ are uncoated (bare) steel strings. On the other hand, strings 3 through 6 are wound with metal.
When you hold a guitar in the right playing position, string 6 is positioned at the top and is the thickest string.
Moving from the top with the thicker strings to the bottom with the thinner strings leads to progressively higher pitches. The thicker the string, the lower the pitch it produces.
Additionally, each string on the guitar has a musical alphabet name, corresponding to the note it produces in the open position.
As mentioned earlier, they can also be identified by numbers.
Understanding Guitar String Names
Guitar strings derive their names from their position and pitch.
They are designated by numbers, starting from the thinnest to the thickest.
The first string is the thinnest, while the sixth string is the thickest. Additionally, each string is linked to a note in the musical alphabet.
The note associated with each string relies heavily on how the guitar is tuned.
Among various tuning methods, standard tuning stands out as the most widely used.
Essentially, it simplifies finger movements when playing standard scales and fundamental chords in all major and minor keys.
Therefore, our guitar string names will be based on the standard guitar tuning method commonly used with 6-string guitars.
This is known as the standard guitar string naming convention.
Standard Guitar String Names
To begin, it’s important to know that a typical guitar consists of six (6) strings.
While there are also 12-string guitars, our lesson today focuses solely on the standard 6-string variety.
In this standard configuration, the first string is the thinnest, while the sixth string is the thickest.
When it comes to learning the names of the open strings on the guitar, we typically begin with the thickest string.
This, coincidentally, is the sixth string according to our numbering system.
This is where most people begin naming their guitar strings.
So, let’s get to the names of these strings in standard tuning, from thickest (lowest) to thinnest (highest):
- The thickest string on the guitar is called the “E” string.
- Moving down, we have the “A” string.
- Below that is the “D” string.
- Further down is the “G” string.
- Then comes the “B” string.
Finally, the thinnest string at the bottom is also an “E” string, but it’s two octaves higher than the first string.
These are the names of the strings in standard tuning: E, A, D, G, B, and E.
It’s worth noting that this naming convention applies specifically to standard tuning.
This may differ if you are using an alternative tuning method.
When it comes to open strings and standard tuning guitar string names, all types of guitars follow the same standard tuning and naming pattern.
This applies regardless of whether they’re electric, acoustic, classical, or bass guitars.
However, there’s a distinction with a standard four-string bass guitar.
The four-string bass guitar doesn’t have the B and high E strings; instead, it’s tuned to E, A, D, and G.
12-String Guitar String Names
Now, let’s talk about 12-string guitars. They also adhere to the same tuning concept, but with a twist.
A 12-string guitar doesn’t have twelve individual strings; it’s more like having six pairs of doubled strings.
So, when you pluck the A string, there’s another A string right there as its partner, but the second one is tuned an octave higher.
How Do You Remember the Six Guitar String Names?
Memorizing the string names ‘E A D G B E’ can pose a bit of a challenge.
You might be thinking that recalling all these open-string names is quite difficult.
I felt the same way when I started. However, I managed to find an effective method to commit them to memory.
Basically, a handy trick is to use an acronym or mnemonic device. This involves creating a memorable phrase where the initial letter of each word represents a guitar string name.
Through this method, I devised a saying that helped me remember the names.
The phrase I used was: “Every Animal Dances Greatly Before Elephants.”
It may sound a bit amusing, but the key is to find a saying that works for you. Trust me, it worked wonders for me.
So, feel free to invent your own, and if it works, that’s fantastic.
To solidify this in your memory, create your own unique phrase. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to be something you won’t forget. The more unusual or quirky, the more effective it’ll be.
Also, keep in mind that the six strings of a guitar can be thought of in either descending or ascending order.
If you’re aiming to memorize the string names in ascending order, starting with the thinnest (the first string), remember the sequence: E-B-G-D-A-E.
Additionally, here are a few handy mnemonic devices to help you remember each string name: “Every Boy Gets Dinner At Eight.”
Another useful tip is to remember that the outer two strings are both E strings. This means you only need to commit four more strings to memory.
Acquiring familiarity with the names of the open strings will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset on your journey to mastering the guitar.
Suggested Acronym or Mnemonic Guitar Strings’ Order (EADGBE)
Undoubtedly, the most straightforward method to remember the sequence of guitar string names is by crafting a memorable phrase or acronym.
To assist with this, here is a suggested fun ideas acronym or mnemonic for remembering the order of guitar strings: EADGBE.
- Eat A Dog, Get Big Ears
- Eat All Day Get Big Easy
- Eat Apples Daily Grow Big Ears
- Every Apple Does Good Being Eaten
- Eat All Dead Gophers Before Easter
- Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie
- Every Apple Does Go Bad Eventually
- Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears
- Elvis Always Dug Good Banana Eating
- Eric And Dave’s Guitars Beat Everyone
- Even Average Dogs Get Bones Eventually
- Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually
- Every Acid Dealer Gets Busted Eventually
- Every Amp Deserves Guitars/Basses Everyday
Why Are Guitars Tuned to EADGBE?
Guitar strings are tuned to E-B-G-D-A-E, primarily for the convenience of playing a wide range of Western music genres.
The design of a guitar aims to facilitate the production of common and melodious chords with ease.
By pressing a few strings in the usual tuning, guitarists can create different chords, all while requiring simpler finger positions.
This focus is not solely on memorizing the names of the guitar strings but rather on enabling smooth chord progression.
In practice, musicians often adjust the tuning to better suit specific songs, making it more manageable to play a particular set of chords.
Various alternative tuning offer flexibility in achieving different musical objectives.
Arranging the six strings close together in the same musical range, just one note apart, would not be practical.
Conversely, spacing them too far apart, with an octave plus one note, would render playing standard chords virtually impossible.
Most string instruments maintain an interval of about half an octave between strings, either in fifths or fourths.
Examining the standard tuning EADGBE reveals that all strings are a fourth apart, except for G and B, which have a major third between them.
Opting for a tuning in fourths expands the range of available notes across strings, simplifying the execution of chords with multiple notes.
This configuration allows for richer harmonies to be achieved.
In contrast, if the guitar were tuned entirely in fifths, akin to other stringed instruments like the cello or violin, there would be fewer strings available, resulting in chords with fewer harmonic options.
Final Note
I believe this article provides you with a clear grasp of what the guitar string names are, the reasoning behind their arrangement, and a simple method for easy recall.
Understanding the names of guitar strings, namely E A D G B E, is a cornerstone of knowledge for any guitarist.
These strings are conventionally tuned to optimize the playing of a diverse range of Western music styles.
This tuning strategy places emphasis on the seamless execution of common chords, resulting in fluid chord playing.
While alternative tunings can be employed to better suit specific musical pieces, the standard tuning, EADGBE, presents a well-balanced arrangement of intervals between strings.
This creates an environment conducive to playing a wide array of chords.
Gaining proficiency in recognizing and mastering the names of guitar strings marks a pivotal milestone in a guitarist’s journey towards mastery.
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