Guitar Notes on the Sixth String E

The musical alphabet consists of the note-names A through G. On the guitar, the open sixth string is the note E. The distance from E to F is a half-step, one fret on the guitar, so F falls on the first fret. F to G, G to A and A to B are all whole-steps, two frets on the guitar. Below is the placement of all the natural notes on the sixth string.

Notes on the sixth string

Notice that B to C is also a half-step, frets seven and eight. You can also see that at the twelfth fret, often marked with double dots, the note E repeats, but now one octave higher.

E to E octave on the sixth string

The notes on the sixth string also correspond to the root-notes of common open chords such as E major and G major.

Open E major chord

Open G major chord

The A at the fifth fret is actually the exact same note of the open fifth string. This is why guitarists often use the fifth fret for relative tuning.

Relative Tuning

Music Theory For Guitar

To learn more about music theory for guitar, including scales, chords, progressions, modes and more, sign up for a free preview of my Fretboard Theory books and DVDs by using the form on this website.
Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube | Podcast