Guitar notes depend on the open string and the fret you press. Standard tuning runs E, A, D, G, B, E from thickest to thinnest; each fret raises pitch by one semitone.
This guide covers string names, the twelve-note cycle, octave checks, notation and practice. Each method starts with a known note and counts toward another.
In This Article
- Name the Six Strings
- Count Frets One Semitone at a Time
- Check Your Answer With Octaves
- Read Guitar Notes in Notation and Tab
- Practice One String at a Time
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Find Your Next Note With Confidence
Name the Six Strings
String 6 is the thick low E; string 1 is the thin high E. “High” and “low” describe pitch, not physical position.
With octave numbers, the open strings are E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. Middle C is C4. Most neighboring strings are five semitones apart; G to B spans four.
For a six-string guitar in standard tuning, use this note reference. Column 0 gives the open strings; paired names show sharp/flat equivalents. This table places string 6 (low E) at the top and string 1 (high E) at the bottom, the reverse of the tab layout explained below.
| String | 0 (open) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (low E) | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G | G♯/A♭ | A | A♯/B♭ | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D | D♯/E♭ | E |
| 5 (A) | A | A♯/B♭ | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D | D♯/E♭ | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G | G♯/A♭ | A |
| 4 (D) | D | D♯/E♭ | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G | G♯/A♭ | A | A♯/B♭ | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D |
| 3 (G) | G | G♯/A♭ | A | A♯/B♭ | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D | D♯/E♭ | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G |
| 2 (B) | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D | D♯/E♭ | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G | G♯/A♭ | A | A♯/B♭ | B |
| 1 (high E) | E | F | F♯/G♭ | G | G♯/A♭ | A | A♯/B♭ | B | C | C♯/D♭ | D | D♯/E♭ | E |
Five ways to memorize guitar string notes in standard tuning
Optionally, choose a memory aid:
- Low to high, strings 6→1: “Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie.”
- High to low, strings 1→6: “Easter Bunnies Get Dizzy After Easter.”
- Learn two chunks: E–A–D, then G–B–E.
- Label a string diagram: 6:E2, 5:A2, 4:D3, 3:G3, 2:B3, 1:E4.
- Pluck and name each string in both directions.
Count Frets One Semitone at a Time
From any open string, follow this cycle: A, A♯/B♭, B, C, C♯/D♭, D, D♯/E♭, E, F, F♯/G♭, G, G♯/A♭, then A again. Paired names describe the same pitch; the key and musical context guide the spelling.
B–C and E–F have no intervening note. On low E, fret 1 is F, fret 3 is G, fret 5 is A, fret 7 is B, fret 8 is C and fret 10 is D.
For a tuning check, fret 5 matches the next thinner open string, except on G: fret 4 matches B. Counting and shortcuts serve different purposes:
Find guitar notes: fret-counting methods and worked examples
| Fret-counting approach | Best for | Worked example (standard tuning) | Main advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count every fret from the open string | Finding notes within the first 5 frets | D string: open D → 1 D♯/E♭ → 2 E → 3 F → 4 F♯/G♭ | Each fret adds exactly 1 semitone | Skipping E→F or B→C shifts your answer by 1 fret |
| Count up from a known natural note | Finding a sharp or flat beside a memorized note | A string: fret 3 C → fret 4 C♯/D♭ | Only 1 step from the known C | The starting note and fret must already be correct |
| Use the next open string as an anchor | Naming notes just above a string-matching fret | A string: fret 5 D → fret 6 D♯/E♭ → fret 7 E | Starts counting at fret 5 instead of fret 0 | The G-to-B string match is at fret 4, not fret 5 |
| Restart counting at fret 12 | Finding notes above the 12th fret | A string: fret 12 A → fret 13 A♯/B♭ → fret 14 B | Uses the same note sequence as frets 0–2 | Fret 12 is the anchor; fret 13 is the first step |
Check Your Answer With Octaves
The 12th fret repeats the open note one octave higher. Beyond it, the pattern repeats: fret 15 on A is C, like fret 3.
From low E or A, move two strings thinner and two frets higher for an octave. For example, C at fret 3 on A matches C at fret 5 on G.
When the shape crosses the B string, stretch to three frets: E at fret 2 on D has its octave at fret 5 on B.
Read Guitar Notes in Notation and Tab
Guitar notation uses treble clef but sounds an octave below the written pitch, sometimes indicated by a small 8 beneath the clef. Written middle C sounds as C3, at fret 3 on A.
Tab shows positions on six lines: high E at the top, low E at the bottom. Numbers indicate frets; 0 means open. Tab numbers identify string-and-fret positions rather than note names; use fret counting to identify the pitches. Some tab includes rhythmic notation; otherwise, use accompanying standard notation or a recording for timing.
Practice One String at a Time
Play the natural notes on low E, saying each name aloud. Then choose note names randomly, find them and check each answer by counting frets from the open string.
Once those positions feel familiar, learn A. Carry both strings’ notes onto D and G using octaves. High E shares low E’s fret pattern; give B its own practice.
Key Takeaways
For a six-string guitar in standard tuning, work through this checklist:
- Name and play the open strings: Say E–A–D–G–B–E while plucking from string 6, the thickest, to string 1, the thinnest. Repeat in reverse.
- Count to a target note: Start from an open string or known note and add one semitone per fret. B–C and E–F have no intervening note; low E → fret 1 F → fret 2 F♯/G♭ → fret 3 G.
- Check with octaves: Compare each open string with fret 12, one octave higher. From low E or A, move two strings thinner and two frets higher; C at fret 3 on A has its octave at fret 5 on G. From D to B, move three frets higher instead.
- Build recall in order: Play and name low E’s natural notes, then find randomly chosen notes and check by counting. Repeat on A, transfer those notes onto D and G using octaves, reuse low E’s fret pattern on high E, then practice B separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the notes on a guitar?
The twelve-note cycle above repeats across the neck. Seven notes have natural letter names; the remaining five use sharps or flats.
How much does moving three frets change the pitch?
Three frets equal three semitones: open low E becomes G at fret 3.
What note is each guitar string?
Read the standard-tuning sequence above from string 6 toward string 1. Its two E strings share a letter but sit two octaves apart.
Why does the same note appear in several places?
Strings overlap in range, so many pitches occur on two or three strings. Choose the position that feels comfortable and makes the next note easier to reach.
Do I need to memorize the whole fretboard before playing songs?
No. Many songs stay within the first few frets. Learn their notes as you play, then expand your recall one string at a time.
Find Your Next Note With Confidence
Try this octave test: find A on low E by counting to fret 5. Move two strings thinner and two frets higher to fret 7 on D. Before playing, name that note; then check it by counting from the open D. Both notes are A, one octave apart.