Understanding Guitar String Notes: A Complete Guide for Players and Enthusiasts

Learning to play the guitar involves mastering not just chords and scales, but also understanding the fundamental building blocks—guitar string notes. Whether you’re a beginner beginner or an experienced musician, knowing how notes are arranged on your six strings unlocks better tone, intonation, and musical control. In this SEO-optimized guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about guitar string notes, including tuning, note positions, and how to apply this knowledge to improve your playing.


Understanding the Context

What Are Guitar String Notes?

Guitar string notes refer to the specific pitches produced when you pluck, strum, or press the strings across your electronic or acoustic guitar. Standard electric and acoustic guitars feature six strings labeled E, A, D, G, B, and e (the thin low E string). Each string produces a distinct note depending on which fret you play, forming the foundation of guitar music from rock to classical.


The Standard Guitar Tuning Sequence

Key Insights

Standard tuning, from lowest pitch to highest, is:

  1. 6th stringLow E (E2 – tune to 41.20 Hz)
  2. 5th stringA (A2 – tune to 110 Hz)
  3. 4th stringD (D3 – tune to 146.83 Hz)
  4. 3rd stringG (G3 – tune to 196 Hz)
  5. 2nd stringB (B3 – tune to 246.94 Hz)
  6. 1st stringe (E4 – tune to 329.63 Hz)

> 🎸 Knowing these pitches helps you learn scales, read tablature, and better tune your guitar.


How to Identify String Notes by Fret

Final Thoughts

Each fret changes the string’s pitch by a half-step (semitone). For example:

  • On the 6th string (low E), playing 0 fret = low E (E2)
  • Moving up one fret → F#/E♭ (temporary nickname; usually played as E or sharp E)
  • Playing 1 full fret → F
  • 2 frets up → F#
  • 3 frets → G
  • And so on.

Here’s a quick fret-to-note reference for the low E string (6th string):

| Fret Number | Note | Pitch Approximation (Hz) |
|-------------|----------|--------------------------|
| 0 | Low E | 41.20 Hz (E2) |
| 1 | F# / E♭ | 46.52 Hz |
| 2 | F | 55.00 Hz |
| 3 | G | 196.00 Hz (G3) |
| 4 | A | 110.00 Hz (A2) |
| 5 | A♯ / B♭ | 146.83 Hz |
| 6 | B | 246.94 Hz (B3) |

Start on the middle-of-the-string frets and move toward the nut (low E) to quickly identify individual pitches.


Why Knowing String Notes Matters

1. Master Chords and Scales

Understanding which fret produces a specific note allows you to accurately build chords and navigate scales across the fretboard.

2. Tune with Precision

Side-stepping standard tuning tools, you can verify pitch accuracy by matching the expected note at each fret, improving your ear training.

3. Improve Improvisation

Recognizing string notes helps you recognize harmonic patterns and transcribe riffs faster, supporting faster learning and creativity.