Guitar String Notes | Standard Guitar Tuning Guide

Guitar String Notes | Standard Guitar Tuning Guide

Quick Answer:

The standard guitar string notes from thickest to thinnest are E, A, D, G, B and E. This is known as standard tuning and is the most common tuning for acoustic, electric and classical guitars.

Learning the guitar string notes is one of the first steps for beginners. Once you know the names of the open strings, it becomes much easier to tune your guitar, learn chords, read diagrams and understand the fretboard.

Guitar String Notes in Standard Tuning

String Note Position
6th string E Thickest / lowest-sounding string
5th string A Second thickest string
4th string D Middle lower string
3rd string G Middle higher string
2nd string B Second thinnest string
1st string E Thinnest / highest-sounding string

Easy Way to Remember Guitar String Notes

A common way to remember the guitar strings from thickest to thinnest is:

Eddie
Ate
Dynamite
Goodbye
Bye
Eddie

You can also make up your own phrase. The important part is remembering the order:

E → A → D → G → B → E

Why Are There Two E Strings?

A standard guitar has two E strings. The 6th string is the low E string, and the 1st string is the high E string. They have the same note name, but they are in different octaves.

The low E string sounds deeper and heavier, while the high E string sounds brighter and thinner.

Do Acoustic and Electric Guitars Use the Same String Notes?

Yes. Most acoustic and electric guitars use the same standard tuning:

E A D G B E

Classical guitars also commonly use standard tuning, although they usually have nylon strings instead of steel strings.

Beginner Tips for Learning Guitar String Notes

  • Start by memorising the thickest string first: low E.
  • Say the string names out loud while holding the guitar.
  • Practise tuning each string one at a time.
  • Use a clip-on tuner or digital tuner for accuracy.
  • Learn chord diagrams alongside string names.
  • Review the string order before every practice session.

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This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Guitar string notes, tuning references and playing guidance may vary depending on instrument type, tuning preference, string gauge, capo use, setup and playing style. Always verify tuning independently before performance, recording, teaching or professional musical use.