Introduction to Guitar Strings
Names of the Strings
The guitar has six strings, numbered from the thinnest to the thickest:
- 1st String (High E) - The thinnest string, also known as the high E string.
- 2nd String (B) - The second thinnest string.
- 3rd String (G) - The third string from the bottom.
- 4th String (D) - The fourth string from the bottom.
- 5th String (A) - The fifth string from the bottom.
- 6th String (Low E) - The thickest string, also known as the low E string.
Mnemonic to Remember String Names
An easy way to remember the string names from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) is:
- Every Avid Dog Gets Bone Eagerly
(E, A, D, G, B, E)
$1.0 $2.0 $3.0 $4.0 $5.0 $6.0Notes Along the Fretboard
Low E String (6th String)
- E is the open string (0th fret).
- F is at the 1st fret.
- F# is at the 2nd fret.
- G is at the 3rd fret.
- G# is at the 4th fret.
- A is at the 5th fret.
- A# is at the 6th fret.
- B is at the 7th fret.
- C is at the 8th fret.
- C# is at the 9th fret.
- D is at the 10th fret.
- D# is at the 11th fret.
- E is at the 12th fret (same pitch as the open string, but an octave higher).
Visualization on the Fretboard
Here’s a simplified representation of the Low E string fretboard with each note marked:
$6.0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |- Each fret represents a half-step increase in pitch from the previous note.
- The sequence is as follows
- E E F F# G G# A A# B C C# D and so on
Practice Tip:
To get familiar with the fretboard:
- Start with the open E string (6th string).
- Play each note sequentially as you move up the fretboard, from E to F, F#, G, G#, A, and so on.
- Practice this for each string to develop a solid understanding of the fretboard.
Additional Tips for String Familiarity
- The 1st and 6th strings are both E strings, but the 1st string is higher in pitch (high E) compared to the 6th string (low E).
- Spend a few minutes every day saying the string names out loud while plucking them. This will help you familiarize yourself with the placement of each string, improving muscle memory and note recognition.
References
Information
- Date: 2024.12.29
- Time: 10:40
This expanded note includes a more detailed overview of the strings, the Low E string fretboard, and a jTab notation example for visualizing the notes across the fretboard. If you need further diagrams for other strings or more advanced topics, feel free to ask!