String names AND notes on electric, classical, acoustic guitar
When you start learning to play guitar, it’s important to know the names and notes of a guitar’s strings in standard tuning.
How to Tune Your Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide
Whether you’re buying an electric, classical, acoustic, or western guitar, tuning your instrument before playing is essential. Proper tuning ensures a harmonious sound and is crucial for developing your musical ear. This guide will walk you through the basics of tuning your guitar using various tools and methods.
Why Tuning Your Guitar Is Important
Tuning is not just for guitars; it applies to all stringed instruments and even wind instruments, which can be affected by temperature changes and transportation. Playing an out-of-tune instrument is not only unpleasant but can also hinder your musical development.
Understanding Guitar String Names and Numbers
The strings on a standard six-string guitar are named as follows, from the thickest to the thinnest:
- E (6th string)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- E (1st string)
In solfège, these are known as mi, la, re, sol, si, and mi. The top E string (6th) and the bottom E string (1st) are two octaves apart, with the 1st string being higher.
Using Guitar Tuners
Modern guitar tuners and tuning apps display both the note and the string number. For example, the 6th string (top, thickest string) is E, the 5th string is A, and so on.
Types of Guitar Tuners
1. Standard Tuners: Show the string number and note.
2. Chromatic Tuners: Display only the note, not the string number, requiring you to know which note corresponds to each string.
Recommended Tuning Apps
One popular choice for Android users is the Boss Chromatic Tuner TU-3 app. This app helps you tune your guitar accurately by displaying the notes you play.
Conclusion
Tuning your guitar is a fundamental skill every guitarist must master. Whether you use a traditional tuner or a modern app, understanding the relationship between string numbers and notes will help you keep your instrument sounding great.
How to quickly remember the names of the strings and how to memorize them?
Just remember this phrase…
Dutch: “Een Aap Die Geen Bananen Eet”
English: “Eddy Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddy”
German: “Eine Alte Dame Ging Brötchen Essen”