Basic Music Theory applied to the Guitar.

Beginner Chord names (Part One). [Beginner Lesson]

​

Beginner Lesson

(Assuming your guitar is properly tuned to concert pitch.)

Let's first talk about the names of the strings. You have six strings on your guitar. The thinnest string is string number (1) one. The thickest string is string number (6) six. String number 6 is the string closest to your face. So, if you play string 6, that is the low "E" string. If you play the fifth (5) string, that is the "A" string. The fourth (4) string is "D", the third (3) string is "G", the second (2) string is "B" and the first (1) string is the high "E" string. Notice, we have two strings that are called "E". One is low and one is high. How do we remember which is which? How do we remember all of the names of the strings? Well, here's an easy way to remember the name of each string in order.

"Elephants Always Drink Good Beer Everyday." What?! What does that mean? Do elephants drink beer? Do they really drink beer everyday? Obviously, this is a silly notion that elephants somehow have every day access…