Each of the six strings on your guitar has a name so that you can easily identify it. These strings are identified below. The naming conventions will make more sense once we get to the additional lessons, but for now aim to memorize their names; this information will serve as a stepping stone to getting the sound you want out of your guitar, so it is important to master the material.

  1. High E String. The high E string is the thinnest string that produces the highest pitched sound. It is the string that is closest to the ground when you are holding your guitar properly. Many guitarists will also refer to this as the 1st string.
  2. B String. The B string is the string directly above the high E string. It is also referred to as the second string.
  3. G String. Likewise, this is the string directly above the B string. It is also referred to as the third string.
  4. D String. Located directly above the G string, the D string is also known as the fourth string.
  5. A String. By now you may be sensing the pattern. The A string is located above the D string, and is also known as the fifth string.
  6. Low E String. The final string, the one furthest from the ground when the guitar is held properly, is the low E string. This string produces the same musical note as the high E string, but does so at two octaves lower. Octaves, as well as the distance between notes, will be discussed in greater detail in the music theory section.

The strings have some clear patterns with respect to their naming conventions and their positioning on the guitar: The strings are numbered one through six starting with the bottom string. Starting from the low E string to the high E string, each string gets thicker and produces a deeper sound. In particular, the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings are referred to as the bass strings, as they produce a deeper, fuller sound. Here's a video that runs through this same topic.

Watch the video