The Standard String Order: E-A-D-G-B-E

A standard guitar has six strings tuned from thickest to thinnest as E, A, D, G, B, and E. The thickest string is called the low E string (or the sixth string), and the thinnest is the high E string (the first string). Learning this order is the foundation of playing guitar because you need to know which string you are touching when you practice chords, scales, and songs.

The reason guitars use this tuning is practical: it spaces the notes so that common chords sit comfortably under your fingers, and it lets the thickest strings produce deep, resonant tones while the thinnest strings ring out clearly. But the order itself—E-A-D-G-B-E—has no obvious pattern, which is why most guitarists use a memory trick to lock it in.

Key Takeaways

  • The six strings from thickest to thinnest are E, A, D, G, B, E—a sequence with no natural pattern, so a memory device is almost essential.
  • The most common memory phrase is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie," where the first letter of each word matches the string order.
  • You can create your own memory phrase using any words that start with E, A, D, G, B, E in that order, which often sticks better than a borrowed one.
  • Muscle memory—the feeling of where each string sits under your fingers—develops faster than memorizing the names, so practice playing the same string repeatedly.
  • Numbering the strings 1 through 6 (high E to low E) is another way to reference them without relying on letter names.

The Classic Memory Phrase and How It Works

The most widely taught memory device is "Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie." Each word's first letter corresponds to a string: Eddie, Ate, Dynamite, Good, Bye, Eddie. You recite this phrase in order, and the first letters spell out E-A-D-G-B-E.

This phrase works because it tells a small story—someone named Eddie eats dynamite and dies—which makes it memorable. The narrative sticks in your mind better than a random list of letters. Many guitarists learned this phrase as beginners and still use it decades later, even though they no longer need it consciously.

The downside is that the phrase is not your own, so it may not feel natural when you say it. If you find yourself forgetting it or mixing up the words, that is a sign you should create your own instead.

Make Your Own Memory Phrase

A memory phrase you invent yourself almost always sticks better than one you borrowed. To create one, you need six words (or a short sentence) where the first letter of each word is E, A, D, G, B, E, in that order.

Here are some examples: "Every Apple Deserves Great Big Eating," "Elephants And Dinosaurs Get Big Ears," or "Eric Always Drives Great Big Engines." The phrase does not have to make perfect sense—it just needs to be something you can picture or say naturally. If you play guitar with friends, a funny or absurd phrase is even better because you will remember it longer.

Write your phrase down and say it out loud five or six times a day for a week. By the end of that week, it will be automatic, and you will not need to think about it anymore. When you pick up the guitar, the phrase will pop into your head without effort.

Using String Numbers Instead of Names

Many guitarists refer to strings by number rather than letter, especially when teaching or discussing songs. The first string is the high E (thinnest), the second string is B, the third string is G, the fourth string is D, the fifth string is A, and the sixth string is the low E (thickest).

If you find letter names confusing, numbering is a valid alternative. Many beginners find it easier to say "play the third string" than to remember which string is G. Over time, you will probably learn both systems—the numbers for quick reference and the letters for deeper understanding of music theory.

A useful trick: write the string numbers on a piece of tape and stick it on your headstock (the top part of the guitar neck) for the first few weeks. This way, you can glance at your guitar and see the numbers without having to remember them. Remove the tape once you no longer need it.

Build Muscle Memory by Repeating the Same String

Your fingers will learn where each string is faster than your brain will memorize the names. This is called muscle memory—your hand develops a physical sense of where to find each string without conscious thought.

To build this, pick one string and play it repeatedly for two minutes. For example, play the low E string (the thickest one) over and over, plucking it slowly and listening to the sound. Do this every day for a week, then move to the next string. By the time you have done this for all six strings, your fingers will know where each one is, even if you have not fully memorized the names yet.

This approach is especially helpful if you are a kinesthetic learner—someone who learns better by doing than by memorizing. Many professional guitarists cannot recite the string names on the spot, but their hands find the right string when ready because they have played it thousands of times.

Practice Naming the Strings While You Play

Once you have a memory phrase or numbering system in place, practice saying the string names out loud as you play. Pick a string at random, pluck it, and say its name. Do this for five minutes a day. This combines the memory device with the physical act of playing, which reinforces both at once.

You can also make a game of it: have a friend or family member point to a string on your guitar, and you say the name as fast as you can. Time yourself and try to beat your record each day. This turns memorization into a challenge rather than a chore, and it makes the names stick faster.

After two or three weeks of this practice, you will not need to think about the names anymore. They will be as automatic as knowing your own phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the guitar have two E strings?

The low E and high E are the same note, just in different octaves (pitch ranges). The low E is much thicker and deeper, while the high E is thin and bright. Having both lets guitarists play the same note in different registers and makes common chord shapes possible.

Do I have to memorize the string names, or can I just use numbers?

You can use numbers alone if you prefer, and many guitarists do. However, learning the letter names opens up music theory and makes it easier to read chord diagrams and sheet music. Most players learn both eventually, but numbers are a fine starting point.

What if I keep forgetting the order?

Write your memory phrase on a sticky note and put it on your guitar case or music stand. Say it out loud every time you pick up the guitar for the first month. Muscle memory from playing will also reinforce the order without you having to consciously memorize it.

Is there a faster way to learn the string names?

The fastest way is to combine a memory phrase with daily practice: say the phrase five times in the morning, pluck each string and say its name for five minutes, and repeat the phrase five times before bed. Most people lock in the order within two weeks using this method.

Do professional guitarists still remember the string names?

Yes, but many do not think about them consciously anymore. The names become automatic, like remembering the alphabet. Some professionals can recite them when ready; others have to think for a moment. Either way, their hands know where each string is without any mental effort.