GETTING STARTED

The Essentials section covers the basic things every guitar player should know, such as how to tune your guitar and how to change the strings, and the different parts of the guitar. I'll also answer some common questions and pass along some advice.

Getting Started

Fretboard Diagram

The diagram below is used on Better Guitar to represents the guitar fretboard. The left side represents the nut of the guitar and the vertical (up and down) lines represent the frets. The horizontal lines (side to side) represent the strings of the guitar with the one on the bottom being the low E (the fat wound string) and the top being the high E string. You would get the same view if you laid your guitar flat on the floor (with the headstock to your left and the body to your right) and looked down on the neck. Numbers below the fretboard are fret position numbers.

Guitar String Numbers

Guitar strings are numbered 1 through 6. The 1st string is the thinnest, unwound string. The next thicker string is called the 2nd string.The next thicker string is called the 3rd string. The next thicker string is called the 4th string. The next thicker string is called the 5th string. Finally, the thickest string is called the 6th string. Each string also has a (note) name (E, B, G, D, A, E) that you will learn as you learn the notes on the fretboard.

Fret Positions

Throughout this website you will hear phrases such as “Place your 1st finger at the 1st fret.” The term“1st fret” actually means the space between the nut and the 1st fret. However, you will typically place your finger closer to the first fret than the nut. In the same way, the 2nd fret means the space between the 1st and 2nd frets, etc.

Finger Numbers

In order make to teaching easier, fingers are numbered:

• Your thumb usually doesn’t play notes. It is notated T.
• Your index finger is called your “first (1st) finger” and is notated 1.
• Your middle finger is called your “second (2nd) finger” and is notated 2.
• Your ring finger is called your “third (3rd) finger” and is notated 3.
• Your pinky is called your “fourth (4th) finger” and is notated 4.