Guitar Strings Order – E A D G B E and Tuning Methods


New, intermediate, and even experienced guitarists may ask the question “What are the strings on a guitar?” and why is the E A D G B E guitar strings order standard? Could these guitar string names be some arbitrary setup that has no particular meaning? Actually, this is called standard tuning, and it was invented as a purposeful pattern that has stood the test of time.
The goal with proper tuning, in this case, standard tuning, is to ensure that playing melodies and chords is a smooth experience with easy transitions between notes and chords. If the strings were arranged in some haphazard way, the fingerings would be a terrible mishmash! For proper playability, there has to be a specific guitar strings order, and E A D G B E standard tuning for the open string provides that.
Moreover, how each guitarist plays and stresses the strings during performing and recording, with the consideration of temperature and humidity, all contribute to how strings wear over time.
In this article, we’ll look at how various tuning methods can make a difference to the playability of one’s guitar. Regardless if a player is a beginner or has played for years, keeping strings well-tuned, clean, and stretched will make guitar playing easier and more enjoyable.
Guitar Strings Order and Tuning Methods
As we discuss tuning a guitar, the guitar string names (E A D G B E) and their importance in tuning, we learn that even seasoned guitarists run into issues with intonation, even if they’ve strung their guitars hundreds of times. Often, environmental issues such as temperature and humidity can mess with the tuning of your guitar. As well as long play sessions and the way that strings sit on the saddle. So, even if a guitarist is following the proper techniques for stringing and tuning a guitar, they can run into issues that contribute to unpleasant tones.
Guitar String Tuning Order: Understanding Standard Tuning (E A D G B E)
Standard tuning, known as guitar strings in order E A D G B E, is the most widely used tuning for the guitar. The thick low E is string number 6, A-5, D-4, G-3, B-2 and high E-1. This approach began long ago, during the Renaissance. At the time, instead of guitars, people used lute-like instruments.
Through the years, this standard order of guitar strings became known for how easy it was to use and its versatility, with the set up order of E A D G B E allowing for seamless string alignment. Considering a player normally frets with four fingers, the playable notes use the first four frets of the neck. It just makes sense. Using the E A D G B E arrangement, beginners can learn scales and chords easily—in what’s called scale degrees—and these guitarists can also learn hand positions and how to play common chords based on the order of these strings. Many guitarists also appreciate the E A D G B E intervals, which make it simpler to understand how to commit chord progressions and scale patterns to memory.
If one is an experienced player, following the E A D G B E string alignment allows for collaboration with other musicians. It also opens up new horizons for guitarists, for once they’ve learned standard tuning, they can experiment with new ways of tuning and playing.
Tuning Methods and Tools

There are several tuning methods and tools you may wish to try to keep your guitar strings playing their best. Strings By Mail sells many types of electronic tuners (clip-on, pedal, app-based, and more) that you utilize to try for tuning precision. Electronic tuners, such as clip-on tuners, attach to your guitar’s headstock. As you pluck the strings, the tuner picks up the vibrations and registers them on the screen. You can then tune the guitar by adjusting the string tension. Some of these tools can be charged via USB, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with batteries.
- Tuning by Ear:
To tune a guitar by ear using the fifth-fret approach and reference pitches, you start with low E, the sixth string. Then you use a reference pitch, a tuning fork for example, so you can be sure it’s tuned to E. You have to keep going in this fashion: the fifth fret of the sixth string is pressed down, it’s supposed to sound like the open fifth string (A). Keep going. The fifth fret of the fifth string (D), should be the same as the open fourth string, and so on. The exception is to use the fourth fret of the third string (B), and that should sound the same as the open second string.
- Harmonic Tuning
With harmonic tuning, you’ll use the harmonics you produce at various frets to tune your strings. You may only wish to use this method for a quick tune, which can be a bit off because as you tune, it introduces an accumulating error, and you might want to use an electronic tuner to get the tuning back into precision. Some players choose harmonic tuning as the narrow frequency is much cleaner and easier to hear.
Read our guide on guitar tuner types and how they work.
String Selection for Optimal Tuning
While most beginners starting on steel string acoustic guitars prefer extra light gauge strings, experienced guitarists lean towards light gauge strings. However, for most types of music, 10 or 11-gauge strings provide the optimal versatility needed to play comfortably. Keep in mind that guitar string materials vary depending on whether one is using an acoustic or an electric guitar. Acoustic strings, for example, have a steel core and can have many different outer layers like brass, nickel, and phosphor bronze. You can achieve different tones with each of these string types. We recommend reviewing Strings By Mail’s string products to find the strings you need for your acoustic or electric guitar. Plus, you’ll find banjo strings, pedal steel guitar strings, and more in our inventory. We even sell custom string sets, such as Custom Customer Concoction | Ben Richey Guitar – Brosphor Phonze Set. The creator says: “I’ve gone lighter and lighter over the years and wish I had discovered this set many years ago. After much experimentation, it was developed to play for long single sessions and designed to play fast.”
Troubleshooting Common Tuning Problems
Strings slipping or going out of tune can be due to not stretching the strings properly or even not attaching them correctly when changing them. For example, if the strings aren’t seated correctly with a bridge pin or in the tuning peg, they can slip. However, all of these problems can be quickly addressed by following the additional tuning steps we provide in the succeeding sections of this article.
Advanced Tuning Techniques
Guitarists looking for easier ways to play or for that new sound are no stranger to trying alternate guitar tunings. For example, you can tune the sixth string down from E to D. This changes the tuning pattern to D A D G B E, called Drop D tuning. Some people like to tune this way to play power chords with one finger and get a heavier sound. Singers with lower voices also lean towards this tuning.
When tuning down to drop D, keep in mind that thinner gauge strings may not be suitable, and when plucked, they don’t stay at the right pitch based on lower tension.
Remember that it’s very important to tune your guitar several times in the hour after restringing it. This is because the strings stretch, which continues to adjust the pitch. So, if you’re still new to tuning your instrument by ear, be sure to use your tuner to make changes to the strings until they sound perfect and can hold the pitch. That said, making tuning a regular part of your daily routine isn’t a bad idea either.
Another method to get the best sound from your guitar is to play an open string, then the natural octave harmonic tone at it’s 12th fret. Anytime they do not match, it means that the bridge saddle(s) may need to be adjusted to fix intonation problems. This can occur with any string, but often occurs on the third string. For precise intonation, you may need to seek help from a skilled luthier or repair technician, who may also find an issue with the slotted nut.
Maintaining Tuning Stability
To maintain tuning stability, you’ll want to keep track of a few points regarding guitar maintenance. The first is that after you replace your guitar strings, you should always remember to stretch them. This will reduce the time it takes for them to stay at pitch. You can use your hand to lift each string up and down a few times at the 12th fret. In addition, you can simply bend the strings with full or 2 step note values. Either way, you will be helping the strings get stabilized and discovering if, by chance, you didn’t secure the strings completely when changing them.
Next, you’ll want to stay on top of regular string maintenance. We sell some tools for this, including our SCG1 Guitar String Cleaning Tool. Over time, oils and dirt from your fingers can accumulate on the strings. This is unavoidable and isn’t due to anything in particular; people’s hands are just naturally oily. The strings get weighed down, then oxidation sets in, which ruins the strings. Keeping strings clean can extend their lifespan and help you to get more use out of them.
Finally, you’ll want to take into account environmental factors like temperature and high humidity and how they affect your strings. By keeping your strings clean and re-tuning them, you can get the best string sound and longevity.
Shop Strings By Mail for Guitar Strings and Tuning Accessories
At Strings By Mail, we not only sell thousands of options of guitar strings, but we also provide the knowledge, tips, and tricks you need to string your guitar correctly, tune it well, and keep the strings in good condition so you can play your best. So, what are the strings on a guitar? We hope our tuning tips helped answer that question and were helpful to newcomers, intermediate players, and experienced guitarists alike.
We invite you to view our products, including guitar strings, common strings, specialty strings, orchestral strings, sheet music, and accessories. You may enjoy trying some of the Custom Guitar String Sets that our customers and staff have created!
FAQs on guitar string order and tuning
The strings are made of metal wire or nylon. They resonate when strummed or plucked, and their tension and tone, along with the hollow body of the guitar or electric pickups, produce music.
The guitar strings in order E A D G B E are a historical convention that provides a good balance. Scales and chords are easier for the fretting hand to play with this standard tuning.
You start with the thickest string, E, and the order is E A D G B E. Mnemonics like “Eat A Doughnut, Get Big Easily” help.
Tune it before each playing session for the best intonation and as often as required. You may find it loses its tune due to humidity and temperature.
Use proper string stretching, quality tuners, and avoid extreme humidity changes. Also, use good quality strings like those from Strings By Mail.
Yes, but dramatic tuning changes increase string instability. They can become loose or flop in some instances.
Heavier gauges are more stable under tension changes. Usually, these strings are strung with more tension, so they will stay in tune better than thinner strings. However, an instrument itself may be more susceptible to issues with higher tension strings, based on construction.
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