Guitar String Names Explained: What Every Classical Guitarist Should Know

November 11, 2021 Jiji

Guitar strings are a guitar player’s most important tool. Each of them has a name, although a number can also refer to it. Learning the words of each string may appear to be a simple task, but you’d be surprised how many individuals who have been playing for years can’t name more than the first two strings.

If you want to play this instrument, you must know the classical guitar string names, finger names and more. Begin by learning guitar basics by memorizing the string names.

What are Guitar Strings Names?

Knowing the names of the strings on a guitar is crucial, and one of the first things you should teach your pupils is how to identify them. This is significant since learning how to tune the guitar requires knowing the names of the open strings. It also aids in the understanding of all the notes on the guitar fretboard.

Earlier stringed instruments, such as the lute, gave rise to the modern guitar. ADGBE tuning was widely employed by the 16th century. The contemporary six-string classical guitar design was born around the mid-nineteenth century, with six strings and EADGBE tuning.

The majority of guitars have six strings. E is the name of the thickest string, which is the sixth string. The fifth string is A. The fourth is the D string, and the third is the G string, the second is B, and E is the thinnest string.

How to Memorize the String Names

Do you have trouble memorizing the names of the strings on your guitar? Here are fun methods to remember and learn the string names on any acoustic, electric, or even bass guitar.

The Acronym and Mnemonic Method

A mnemonic is a great way of remembering something, and because it is appealing, it easily sticks in your memory. So quizzing oneself a little at a time is one technique to learn string names on guitar. Let’s begin by going over the guitar strings in order.

Pluck your strings and call them by their proper names. Try moving from the 6th to the 1st and from the 1st to the 6th strings as the thickest. This string is set to E in normal guitar tuning and is referred to as the “low E string.”

(1st to 6th) E – B – G – D – A – E
(6th to 1st) E – A – D – G – B – E

The arrangement would be E-B-G-D-A-E, starting with the thinnest or first string. To get you started, here are more examples of phrases:

Easter Bunnies Get Dizzy At Easter
Elvis’ Big Great Dane Ate Everything
Every Boy Gets Dinner At Eight

Alternatively, begin with the thickest string, the 6th string, and work your way down to the first string. Here are some examples of E-A-D-G-B-E phrases:

Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears
Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually
Eat All Day Get Big Easy
Every Apple Does Go Bad Eventually
Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie

The Numbering Method

Another way is that some people refer to the strings by their numerical values. You must assign precise numbers to each string while retaining their positional order in this strategy.

The numbering scheme for these strings begins the nearest to you and runs through 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 from there, for example. Suppose you wish to memorize or study the strings. Depending on your preference, you can begin at the top or the bottom. However, make sure to keep the same order.

The Standard Memorization Method

Whatever method is used to memorize and learn, all guitar string names must always begin and conclude with the normal sequence in which they are arranged and performed. This order is based on standard tuning, although it may alter if you drop-tune your guitar to various frequencies.

If everything else fails, memorize the string names and repeat them: EBGDAE, EBGDAE, EADGBE, EADGBE. It will be GDAE, GDAEB, or possibly GDAEBG for bass guitars (for 6-string basses). You’ll remember this since the names will be ingrained in your mind for the rest of your life!

The Fretboard’s Numbering System

Now that you’ve learned the names and numbers of your guitar strings, it’s time to learn about the frets. These notes will be shaped on the fretboard, also known as the fingerboard. Knowing where the strings are on the fretboard will help you advance your practice.

Count up from the first fret, the space between the nut and the first metal bar on your fretboard. By making it easier to see when you’re playing, some guitars feature dots on the side of the neck and the fretboard. Dots are usually found on an acoustic guitar on the 3rd, 5th, 9th, and 12th frets.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for something that will provide hours of enjoyment while also improving your agility and coordination, then learning how to play classical guitar alternate tunings might be just what you need. You can do it a little by knowing the guitar string basics.

Even if it’s a little tedious at first, you can find the above-mentioned repeating strategy more successful and a great way to start learning the guitar chords. You’ll be a pro on all things string soon!