HOW THE STRINGS ARE IDENTIFIED

It's a good idea to become familiar with the various parts of a guitar before we go any further. Take a minute or so right now to examine the graphics below.



ACOUSTIC GUITAR

ELECTRIC GUITAR

The basic guitar is equipped with six strings. They are numbered in order from the highest sounding (first), down to the lowest sounding (sixth).

1 = First (high)

2 = Second

3 = Third

4 = Fourth

5 = Fifth

6 = Sixth (low)

Each one is also identified with a letter from the Musical Alphabet:

1 = E

2 = B

3 = G

4 = D

5 = A

6 = E

Here is a simple acrostic which I have my students use to help them memorize the letters associated with each string. Start from the sixth and move up to the first.

------------------------------------------------------------1 = E---------

-----------------------------------------------2 = B----------------------

-------------------------------------3 = G--------------------------------

---------------------------4 = D------------------------------------------

------------------5 = A---------------------------------------------------

---------6 = E------------------------------------------------------------

They are referred to as OPEN tones when played in this manner.

LESSON OBJECTIVE: To memorize the letters and numbers associated with each string.

PRACTICE: Play the open by starting on the sixth string and moving to the first. Say the acrostic out loud as you hear the sound of each tone. Then repeat the process saying just the first letter of each word in the acrostic. After you have memorized the letters associated with each tone in this order, try saying them in reverse by starting on the first and moving back to the sixth.