The Open Strings of the Guitar

Lesson 7/65 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Beginner Guitar Theory

The Open Strings of the Guitar

When correctly tuned, the open strings of the guitar correspond to the notes E B G D A and E from high to low. These notes are shown in the following diagram of the guitar fretboard at the nut.

Notice that the open 4th string D note is in the space below the staff, while the low A and E notes are on ledger lines below the staff. An easy way to remember the names of the open strings (from high to low) is to say Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears

Here is an exercise to help you recognise the notes which represent the open strings of the guitar. Name the notes out loud as you play each one. Don’t worry about the timing of the notes at this stage, just make sure you are playing the correct notes.

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Class Sessions

1- Transposing 2- Glossary of Musical Terms 3- Simple and Compound Time 4- Sixteenth Notes 5- Triplets 6- Minor Key Scale Tone Triads 7- Minor Keys and Scales 8- Scale Tone Chords 9- Chord Construction 10- Chords 11- Intervals 12- INTRODUCTION 13- Keys and Key Signatures 14- The Major Scale 15- Learning All the Notes 16- The Lead-In 17- How to Read Music 18- Dotted Notes 19- Note Values 20- Slurs 21- Approach to Practice 22- Swing Rhythms 23- Tablature 24- Chords in Other Minor Keys 25- Minor Scales in All Keys 26- Major Key Triad Pattern 27- Double Sharps And Double Flats 28- Fingering Variations 29- Naming Intervals 30- C Chromatic Scale 31- Time Signatures 32- Ties 33- Tones and Semitones 34- Major Scales in All Keys 35- The Octave 36- Scale Tone Chords in All Keys 37- Dynamics 38- Electronic Tuner 39- Transposing in Minor Keys 40- The Left Hand 41- Relative Keys 42- C Major Scale in Open Position 43- Rhythm Notation 44- Interval Types 45- Rests 46- Enharmonic Notes 47- Summary of Scale Tone Chords 48- Volume Changes 49- Music Notation 50- Interval Distances 51- Major Scale Pattern 52- Harmonic Minor Scale Tone Chords 53- Learning the Notes on the Staff 54- The Unison 55- Common Progressions 56- The G Major Scale 57- Tempo Markings 58- Melodic Minor Scale Tone Chords 59- The Open Strings of the Guitar 60- Tempo Changes 61- The F Major Scale 62- Chord Shapes 63- Identifying Intervals by Ear 64- Notes in the Open Position 65- Other Major Scales

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The Open Strings of the Guitar