How to Learn the Guitar String Names
Every guitar lesson starts with naming the six open strings. In standard tuning they run E A D G B E from thickest to thinnest, and one silly sentence fixes them for life. This deck teaches the string names and the mnemonic.
There are 10 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the guitar string names is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The only confusion is direction — the thickest (lowest-pitched) string and the thinnest are both E, which trips up beginners until they learn the order in between.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the guitar string names
- Break it into small batches. Just six strings — learn the order with the mnemonic, noting both outer strings are E.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. The thickest string (low E) is the 6th string; the thinnest (high E) is the 1st string.
The full deck: the Guitar String Names
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the guitar strings in standard tuning (thick to thin)? | E, A, D, G, B, E |
| What is a mnemonic for the string names? | Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie |
| What is the thickest (lowest) string? | Low E (the 6th string) |
| What is the thinnest (highest) string? | High E (the 1st string) |
| What is the 5th string? | A |
| What is the 4th string? | D |
| What is the 3rd string? | G |
| What is the 2nd string? | B |
| How many strings does a standard guitar have? | Six |
| Which two strings share the same note name? | The two E strings (highest and lowest) |
Save this deck and actually remember it
Create a free account, keep this 10-card deck, and we'll schedule every review at the perfect moment. First deck free forever — no credit card.
Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the guitar string names
How long does it take to learn the guitar string names?
Most people can lock in the guitar string names within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–10 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the guitar string names?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 10 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.