Guitar Start Guide
Before chords, before scales, before anything, there is one small piece of knowledge that makes the whole guitar make sense: the guitar string names. A standard six-string guitar is tuned E-A-D-G-B-E, and once you know which string is which, tuning, reading tabs, and finding notes all get dramatically easier. This guide gives you the order, some memory tricks, and why it matters.
The Six String Names in Order
From the thickest string (the one closest to the ceiling when you hold the guitar to play) to the thinnest, the notes are:
| String number | Note | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest/thickest) | E | Low E — the fattest string |
| 5th | A | |
| 4th | D | |
| 3rd | G | |
| 2nd | B | |
| 1st (highest/thinnest) | E | High E — the skinniest string |
Notice both the thickest and thinnest strings are E — they are two octaves apart. That is why the tuning is often written as EADGBE, and why some people say “EADGBE” as a single word to remember it.
Thickest to Thinnest, Not Top to Bottom
Here is a point that trips up almost every beginner. Guitarists call the thin high-E string the “1st string” and the thick low-E the “6th string”. Confusingly, the low E is physically at the top of the neck as you look down while playing, even though it is the lowest in pitch. So “top string” usually means the low E (highest in position), and “bottom string” means the high E. When in doubt, talk about thickest and thinnest — those are never ambiguous.
Easy Ways to Memorise EADGBE
Mnemonics stick far better than raw letters. Reading from the thick 6th string to the thin 1st string (E-A-D-G-B-E), try one of these:
- Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie
- Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears
- Every Amateur Does Get Better Eventually
Pick whichever one makes you smile — the sillier it is, the easier it sticks. Reading the other direction (thin to thick), the reverse “Easter Bunny Gets Drunk After Easter” is a popular one too.
Why Knowing the String Names Matters
- Tuning becomes obvious. When a tuner says your 5th string should be A, you know exactly which string to adjust. See how to tune a guitar for the full process.
- Tabs make sense. Tab is six lines, one per string. Knowing the names tells you which line is which. Our guide on how to read guitar tabs builds directly on this.
- Chords click into place. Chord names come from their root note, so knowing the string names helps you understand why an open E or A chord is named that way.
- The fretboard opens up. The open strings are your reference points for finding every other note on the neck.
A Quick Word on the Musical Alphabet
Music uses only seven letters — A, B, C, D, E, F, G — and then it repeats. So after G you go back to A. This is why the string names skip around rather than running straight through the alphabet: the gaps between them (mostly the interval of a fourth) are what make chord shapes work the way they do. You do not need the theory to play, but it explains why the tuning looks the way it does. If theory interests you, our guitar basics section is a gentle place to keep exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six guitar string names in order?
From thickest to thinnest: E (6th), A (5th), D (4th), G (3rd), B (2nd), E (1st). The lowest and highest strings are both E, two octaves apart.
Why are the first and last strings both E?
Standard tuning is designed so the thickest and thinnest strings play the same note (E) two octaves apart. This makes many chord and scale shapes symmetrical and easier to learn.
Is the thick E string the 1st or 6th string?
The thick low-E is the 6th string. The thin high-E is the 1st string. Numbering runs from thinnest (1) to thickest (6), which surprises many beginners.
Do all guitars use EADGBE tuning?
Most six-string guitars use standard EADGBE tuning by default. There are alternate tunings (like Drop D or open tunings) for specific styles, but EADGBE is what you should learn first.