The chart below shows the notes and the string positions of the guitar. When we refer to a string as the first string that is the high E on the right side of the chart. When you are holding a guitar, the low E string (sixth string) is on the top. The notes of the guitar strings in open tuning left to right are E, A, D, G, B, and E.
- The thickest string is known as the sixth string. In standard guitar tuning, this particular string is tuned to E. This particular string is often referred to as the ‘low E string‘. This is the deepest/lowest guitar note you can play on the guitar.
- The fifth string is tuned to A, it is usually referred to as the A string.
- The fourth string is tuned to D, it is usually referred to as the D string.
- The third-string is tuned to G, it is usually referred to as the G string.
- The second string is tuned to B, it is usually referred to as the B string.
- The first string is tuned to E. This is the thinnest of all the strings. We often refer to this string as the ‘high E string’
The simplest way to remember the guitar string notes is to make use of a mnemonic:
- Elephants
- And
- Dogs
- Grow
- Big
- Ears
Holding a Basic Guitar chord
When you are new to playing guitar, your fretting fingers will need to stretch to the strings and frets on the fretboard. This will seem uncomfortable at first. Your fingers are doing things that they are not used to doing. This is very normal – all guitar players start this way. This will just take some training.
Your fingers will also need to get used to holding the strings down on the fretboard. This will hurt at first-especially if you are using an acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars have a heavier gauge string which makes holding the strings a little harder.
You will just need to work through it. In a short amount of time, your fingers will develop callouses. Once you develop good callouses on the tips of your fingers, holding the chord will no longer hurt.
To hold down a chord, place your fingers on the string and the fret based on the chord chart. In this example, we are playing an E Chord. See the chord chart below.
To hold another chord for example, see B Chord Guitar.
Your thumb should be on the back of the neck of the guitar. This will make it easier to bend your fingers for a nice arch.
Place your first finger on the fourth string, the first fret of the guitar. Your finger needs to be close to the bottom of the fret, but not on the fret. Now place your second finger on the fifth string, second fret. Your finger should be in the middle of the fret with your finger arched so that it does not touch any of the other strings.
Then place your third finger on the fourth string of the second fret. See the figure below. Your hand should look like the picture below. Now, just strum down on the strings with your right hand. Congratulations – you have just played your first song on the guitar!!
You should not have any “muted” strings when you strum the chord. All of the strings should ring clear. If you have muted strings, adjust the arch of your fingers until all of the string ring clear.
It takes practice, but you will get it! Keep at it!