Learn The Open String Names

One of the first things you need to know when you learn to play the guitar is the names of the open strings. These are the note names you'll tune the guitar to each time you play it, and you'll be doing it a lot because, as we say here, "tune before you play".

You can number the strings from 1 to 6, with 1 being the thinnest and 6 being the thickest strings. String 1 is nearest to the floor, and string 6 is closest to your face. Starting on the 6th string, the strings are named E A D G B E. An easier way to remember that is to use a mnemonic. One of our favourite mnemonics is Eddie Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddie. You could also use Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears. Or you can make up your own, memorable, fun mnemonic.

It shouldn't take you too long to memorise the string names since you'll be tuning it often. When it comes to tuning, you can use an electronic tuner to help with that. You can buy clip-on tuners or download an app. There are lots of good, free apps available these days. Do you use an app to tune your guitar? If so, what do you use?