Open strings on a guitar. 6 string guitar string names for beginners.

What are open strings on a guitar?

The sound of an open string is the note that the guitar produces without the frets being pressed. Open strings make up the system, and the arrangement and construction of chords depends on their tone. In this article, we will go into detail about how open strings sound, as well as give tips on how to memorize them.

Guitar string names

As you can understand, each string has its own serial number and its own name. In addition, they all give a note. In this section, we will talk about standard tunings – when lowering or raising, the notes will, of course, change.

First open string

This is the thinnest string of all, located at the very bottom of the fretboard. It gives the sound of the note E, that is, mi.

Second string on the guitar

It is the only string that is tuned a semitone higher than the others in the standard. It follows the first and gives the note B – si.

Third string on the guitar

It is located above the second. In the open position, it gives the sound G, that is, salt.

Fourth string of the guitar

The next in order is the fourth, it gives the note D – that is, re. It is she who is the tonic of the corresponding chords in the usual position.

Fifth string of the guitar

The second string from the top, but the fifth in a row. In the open position gives the sound A – la. In standard fingering, it is the tonic of the A-minor and A-major chord.

sixth string guitar

The thickest and highest string. It goes into an octave from the first – and gives exactly the same sound E-mi. It is the root string for E major and E minor chords.

Why you need to know the names of open strings

In order to understand how chords are built (from the tonic)

All triads for beginners, the positions you learn, one way or another, are repelled by open strings. If you learn their names, you can easily build almost all chord positions, especially with open strings.

For reading tablature (text)

Often, text tablature may not be labeled with open strings, which makes it difficult to understand what harmony is being played. Just in order to read tablature with a full understanding of what is happening, and it is worth remembering the designation of open strings.

For tuning to standard and alternate tunings

In addition to the standard string name on a 6-string guitar, There are also many different additional scales that you can reconfigure the instrument. In order to make it easier to remember all the open strings in such tunings, it is worth starting with the standard.

To memorize guitar notes

Having memorized open notes, and understanding how they are generally located fretboard notes, you can easily find them right away. This will help with improvisation, as well as composing your own parts. In addition, as you memorize their location, you will gradually begin to memorize their sound – which means that sooner or later you will be able to determine the keys of the songs by ear.

Open strings in lowered and alternate tunings

Guitar tuning is not limited to one standard tuning. There are many options, but all of them, one way or another, are repelled from the standard. Therefore, in order to learn what it looks like low order, To begin with, it is worth remembering the notes of the usual. In addition, quite an impressive part of the alternative tunings is just based on the standard, and, in fact, they represent the same structure, but lowered by one or two tones.

Open string chords

This category includes all chords for beginners. They are placed on the first three frets, and their tonic is an open string. To get started with the guitar, you should definitely learn these triads, as well as how open strings sound in general.